(Yicai) April 29 -- The permanent populations of China’s four first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen rose last year, after declining for the first time ever the year before, reconfirming the appeal of these major economic centers.

Shenzhen saw the biggest increase, with the southern tech hub adding 128,000 people to hit almost 17.8 million as of Dec. 31, according to the latest data from the city’s statistics bureau. 

Shenzhen was the country’s fifth-most populous city, narrowing the gap to 1.04 million with Guangzhou, which ranked fourth. Shenzhen’s headcount had shrunk by 19,800 in 2022.

Economic growth attracted more workers to settle in the city known for its costly housing market. Shenzhen's gross domestic product was CNY3.46 trillion (USD477.5 billion) last year, a 6 percent increase on the prior year.

Beijing had 21.9 million permanent residents at year-end, up 15,000; Shanghai 24.9 million, up 115,600; and Guangzhou a record 18.8 million, up 92,900.

Among the top 10 Chinese cities for GDP, the emerging first-tier city of Hangzhou made the biggest addition. It added 146,000 permanent residents thanks to leading internet firms that attract graduates from other places.

The capital city of Zhejiang province is home to some of China’s biggest e-commerce and high-tech companies, including Alibaba Group Holdings, Hikvision, and NetEase.

Among the top 10 cities for productivity, only Chongqing’s permanent population shrank last year, recording a decline of 219,100.

The drop was due mainly to the municipality’s large population base, which was China’s No. 1 last year at over 31.91 million, an economist told Yicai. With China’s overall population level in decline, maintaining growth in Chongqing is more challenging compared with other cities, the person said.

About 28 percent of the Chongqing’s population also lives on the rural outskirts of the city so they are more likely to leave for other places, he added.

Editor: Emmi Laine