A process for producing N-methyl or N,N-dimethyl amines, which comprises using amine compound, nitro-containing compound or nitrile compound as a starting material, carbon dioxide as a methylating agent and hydrogen gas as a reducing agent, and allowing them to react in a sealed reactor for 6 to 48 h in a reaction medium at a reaction temperature of 80 to 180 ° C. in the presence of a composite catalyst, so as to provide N-methyl or N,N-dimethyl amines. The process of the present invention is simple and under relative mild reaction conditions. By means of the process of the invention, the target products can be prepared at low cost with a high yield. The catalysts used have a high catalytic activity and can be separated from the reaction system simply and reused. Furthermore, the whole process of the present invention is environmental-friendly and facilitates the cycling use of carbon dioxide.