FAQ - Population

What is the population of Shanghai?

The population of Shanghai is never easy to gauge. Various sources cite different figures:

• According to a 2003 report from the China Daily, Shanghai's population has topped 20 million, including a "floating population" of 3 million.
• The City Government site states the population as of 2003 is 17.11 million, with an average population density of 2,116 people per square kilometer.
• According to Wikipedia, Shanghai is the most populous city in the world, with a population of 12,762,953.
• On the other hand, in Wikipedia's list of metropolitan areas by population, it ranks Shanghai Municipality at number 13.

Whatever the population, one thing is for sure: Shanghai is a big city. While there is a negative growth rate for the natural population (the first such negative growth rate in China), there are a lot of people moving here. Some projections predict Shanghai's population will rise to 23 million in less than 10 years, and contruction of several "satellite cities" is underway to handle this increase.

Useful Links

• Population & Density by Administrative District & Urbanized Area
• Shanghai Government: Population
• Shanghai Government: Natural Changes in Population