Compare
Beijing vs Shanghai: population and economy compared
Search and add up to five provinces, cities or counties, then compare population, area, density, urbanization and economic indicators side by side.
| Indicator | Beijing | Shanghai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic data | |||
| Resident population | 21,800,000 people2025 | 24,854,100 people2025 | -12.3% |
| Registered (hukou) population | 14,270,000 people2023 | 15,109,100 people2025 | -5.6% |
| Area | 16,411 km² | 6,341 km² | +158.8% |
| Population density | 1,328.4 people/km²2025 | 3,919.9 people/km²2025 | -66.1% |
| Urbanization rate | 88.3%2025 | 89.9%2025 | -1.7% |
| Urban population | 19,249,000 people2025 | 22,280,000 people2025 | -13.6% |
| Rural population | 2,551,000 people2025 | 2,520,000 people2025 | +1.2% |
| Male population | 11,061,000 people2025 | 7,469,100 people2025 | +48.1% |
| Female population | 10,739,000 people2025 | 7,694,900 people2025 | +39.6% |
| Households | 5,576,000.002025 | 5,785,200.002025 | -3.6% |
| Economy and income | |||
| GDP | $724.2B2025 | $788.7B2025 | -8.2% |
| GDP per capita | $33,2222025 | $31,7342025 | +4.7% |
| GDP growth | 5.4%2025 | 5.4%2025 | 0.0% |
| Primary industry | $1.5B2025 | $1.4B2025 | +9.9% |
| Secondary industry | $100.0B2025 | $162.0B2025 | -38.3% |
| Tertiary industry | $622.8B2025 | $625.3B2025 | -0.4% |
| Urban disposable income | $13,3922025 | $13,4692025 | -0.6% |
| Rural disposable income | $5,8432025 | $6,6932025 | -12.7% |
| Urban disposable income · Change | 4.1% | 4.0% | +2.5% |
| Rural disposable income · Change | 5.4% | 5.4% | 0.0% |
| Latest annual data | |||
| Year | 2025 | 2025 | — |
| Births | —2025 | 107,000 people2025 | — |
| Deaths | —2025 | 164,000 people2025 | — |
| Birth rate | 5.55 ‰2025 | 4.31 ‰2025 | +28.8% |
| Death rate | 6.28 ‰2025 | 6.61 ‰2025 | -5.0% |
| Natural growth rate | -0.73 ‰2025 | -2.30 ‰2025 | -68.3% |
| Age structure | |||
| Age 0–14 | 2,593,000 people2025 | —2025 | — |
| Age 15–59 | 13,919,000 people2025 | —2025 | — |
| Age 60+ | 5,288,000 people2025 | —2025 | — |
| Age 60+ · % | 24.3%2025 | —2025 | — |
| Age 65+ | 3,727,000 people2025 | —2025 | — |
| Age 65+ · % | 17.1%2025 | —2025 | — |
| Census data | |||
| Census year | Seventh census | Seventh census | — |
| Total population | 21,893,095 people | 24,870,895 people | -12.0% |
| Urban population | 19,166,433 people | 22,209,380 people | -13.7% |
| Urbanization rate | 87.6% | 89.3% | -2.0% |
| Male population | 11,195,390 people | 12,875,211 people | -13.0% |
| Female population | 10,697,705 people | 11,995,684 people | -10.8% |
| Sex ratio (male per 100 female) | 104.7 | 107.3 | -2.5% |
| Minority population share | 4.8% | 1.6% | +197.5% |
| Households | 8,230,792.00 | 9,644,628.00 | -14.7% |
| Household population | 19,014,338 people | 22,347,586 people | -14.9% |
| Average household size | 2.3 | 2.3 | -0.4% |
Source: Beijing 2025年年统计公报 · Shanghai 2025年统计公报
Population history
Data summary
Difference
- Beijing: Resident population 21,800,000 people, Population density 1,328.4 people/km², Urbanization rate 88.3%, GDP $724.2B
- Shanghai: Resident population 24,854,100 people, Population density 3,919.9 people/km², Urbanization rate 89.9%, GDP $788.7B
Resident population Difference: 3,054,100 (-12.3%)
Population density Difference: 2,591.5 people/km²
Urbanization rate Difference: 1.6%
GDP Difference: $64.5B
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Beijing?
The resident population of Beijing was 21,800,000 people in 2025. This figure refers to people living in the area for more than six months, unless the source states otherwise.
How densely populated is Beijing?
The population density is 1,328.4 people per square kilometre, based on a land area of 16,411 km².
What is the population of Shanghai?
The resident population of Shanghai was 24,854,100 people in 2025. This figure refers to people living in the area for more than six months, unless the source states otherwise.
How densely populated is Shanghai?
The population density is 3,919.9 people per square kilometre, based on a land area of 6,341 km².