How Many People Are There Really in Shanghai, China?

The 2024 Statistical Bulletin on the National Economic and Social Development of Shanghai shows that the permanent resident population of Shanghai has reached over 24 million.

What exactly is meant by “permanent resident population”? Since populations are constantly in flux, especially in a metropolis like Shanghai where the comings and goings are significant, understanding this term is important.

Generally, a permanent resident is someone who has lived or studied in a place for more than six months, or who has been away for less than six months.

The main legal basis for this is China’s “Household Registration Ordinance,” which states that residents should be registered as permanent residents at their usual place of residence.

Typically, registered residents don’t need to go through a special registration process. Due to the nationwide networked information system, if we move to another place and apply for a residence permit there, our information can be aggregated. After six months, we become permanent residents of that new location; if less than six months, we remain permanent residents of our original place of registration.

Many people might wonder, what about those who frequently change jobs or places of residence, such as working here for two months and there for three months? In such cases, they are usually considered permanent residents of their registered domicile.

This is because the country currently lacks other methods for registering population movements. Although we now have “travel codes” that allow the state to track our movements, there are no corresponding laws or definitions to support this.

Regarding the floating population, it is essential to understand its definition. After reading the definition of the permanent resident population, many might think that the floating population is simply the opposite of permanent residents. This is a misconception.

In China, the floating population is defined as people separated from their household registration, excluding those separated within the same district.

Simply put, as long as Shanghai’s registered residents continue to live in Shanghai, they are not considered part of the floating population. Generally, non-registered residents living in Shanghai are counted as part of the floating population.

According to the Seventh National Census, China’s floating population is 370 million. Additionally, the population separated from their household registration within the same district is 110 million.

In fact, Shanghai’s census bulletin did not disclose information on the floating population. However, the 2024 National Economic and Social Development Bulletin stated that the number of migrant permanent residents is 10 million, which is at least a portion of the floating population.

If we also consider people temporarily in Shanghai for business trips, tourism, visiting relatives, work, training, and other purposes, saying Shanghai has 28 million people is not an exaggeration. Shanghai is the financial center of our country, attracting large numbers of people, though there are no specific official statistics on this.