Shenzhen recorded the largest increase in permanent residents among Chinese cities in 2025, a rare bright spot as some megacities lose their appeal amid a deepening demographic shift.The southern tech hub added 259,000 permanent residents last year, bringing its total population to 18.25 million, according to a notice released by the local government on Monday.Designated as China’s first special economic zone in 1980, Shenzhen has since evolved into one of the country’s most powerful population magnets, a trend analysts attributed to a mutually reinforcing relationship between sound economic policies and human capital.He Yafu, an independent demographer, said the region’s decades-long track record had underscored the broader economic benefits of a growing population.“Shenzhen’s development over more than 40 years shows that as long as there are sound economic policies, population growth benefits economic development,” He wrote in a report on Tuesday.“Human resources and talent resources are the most valuable resources.”
How Shenzhen’s growing population defies expectations in China’s changing cities
The global tech powerhouse attracts more workers and has higher birth and lower mortality rates than the national average.
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