Shaoxing sees 10 consecutive years of population growth
By the end of 2024, Zhejiang's permanent population had reached 66.7 million, an increase of 430,000 from the previous year, according to the Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Statistics. Shaoxing's population stood at 5.429 million, marking its 10th consecutive year of steady growth.
While many regions face declining natural population growth, Shaoxing continues to attract residents. According to the Shaoxing Bureau of Statistics, factors such as emerging industries, competitive talent policies, and a high-quality living environment contribute to this sustained increase.
The city has been modernizing traditional industries while fostering new economic drivers. In Keqiao district, efforts to upgrade the textile sector and expand high-tech industries such as optoelectronics, artificial intelligence, new energy, and low-altitude economy have turned the area into a magnet for talent. More than half of Keqiao's current population consists of new residents drawn by these developments.
Shaoxing is also strengthening its talent pipeline. In 2024, the city welcomed over 130,000 university graduates, ranking 23rd nationwide in talent attraction for the second consecutive year.
International professionals are also making Shaoxing home, with more than 40 high-level foreign experts from countries like France and Italy now based at the Zhejiang (Shaoxing) High-Level Foreign Experts Innovation Center.
Shaoxing's population growth mirrors its economic expansion. In 2024, the city's GDP reached 836.9 billion yuan, a 6.5 percent year-on-year increase, making it the second-fastest-growing economy in Zhejiang. The city has consistently prioritized public services, dedicating over two-thirds of its annual fiscal growth to sectors like education, healthcare, and elder care.
Family-friendly policies have also played a role. To enhance childcare services, Shaoxing introduced specialized planning guidelines and action plans, ensuring the number of childcare slots for infants under three reached 4.55 per 1,000 residents by the end of 2024.