This statistic depicts the estimated population figures in urban areas of first and new first tier cities of China as of 2021, by city. In 2021, around 27.8 million people were estimated to be living in the urban area of Shanghai. Shanghai was the largest city in China in 2021, followed by Beijing with around 20.9 million inhabitants.
Estimated population of first and new first tier cities in China in 2021, by city
(in million inhabitants)
The methodology for accounting city population in China applied by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) varies from the administrative method generally applied by the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The UN DESA defines its calculation method by counting "population in all city districts meeting the criteria such as contiguous built-up areas, being the location of the local government, being a street or having a resident committee." In contrast, the National Bureau of Statistics of China normally counts all people living in the administrative units under the city in question as population of that city, even though some districts might be located in distant outskirts not closely connected to the city.
The selection of cities follows the definition of first and new first tier cities by Yicai Media Group.
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UN DESA. (May 16, 2018). Estimated population of first and new first tier cities in China in 2021, by city (in million inhabitants) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/992683/china-population-in-first-and-second-tier-cities-by-city/
UN DESA. "Estimated population of first and new first tier cities in China in 2021, by city (in million inhabitants)." Chart. May 16, 2018. Statista. Accessed September 25, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/992683/china-population-in-first-and-second-tier-cities-by-city/
UN DESA. (2018). Estimated population of first and new first tier cities in China in 2021, by city (in million inhabitants). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 25, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/992683/china-population-in-first-and-second-tier-cities-by-city/
UN DESA. "Estimated Population of First and New First Tier Cities in China in 2021, by City (in Million Inhabitants)." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 May 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/992683/china-population-in-first-and-second-tier-cities-by-city/
UN DESA, Estimated population of first and new first tier cities in China in 2021, by city (in million inhabitants) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/992683/china-population-in-first-and-second-tier-cities-by-city/ (last visited September 25, 2022)
