[Explanation] Recently, 28 provinces have released 2021 population data. The data shows that the total population of Guangdong, the largest economic province, will reach 126.84 million in 2021, ranking first in the country for 15 consecutive years, with more than 1 million births. Experts pointed out , Guangdong can maintain the first place in the total population for a long time, due to the high birth rate, large population base and strong economic vitality in the region.
[Concurrent] Liang Zhongtang, a demographer, former expert member of the National Family Planning Commission
The birth rate in Guangdong is relatively high, and customs may have something to do with it, because Guangdong belongs to the hometown of overseas Chinese and is influenced by overseas Chinese.
But the main one, in terms of absolute numbers, is that the entire population of Guangdong is larger, and its economic vitality is relatively good. Because its proportion of economically active population is relatively high, it (age structure) is relatively young.
[Explanation] From the perspective of birth rate, Guizhou and Qinghai have a birth rate higher than 1%, Guangxi and Gansu are tied for third with 9.68‰, and a total of 10 provinces have a birth rate higher than the national average of 7.52‰.
In addition, there are 10 provinces with negative natural population growth rates, mainly in Northeast China, North China, the Yangtze River Delta and the central region.
[Concurrent] Liang Zhongtang, a demographer, former expert member of the National Family Planning Commission
The main reason is that the proportion of the rural population is relatively high. Our country is in a process of declining birth rate levels. Their decline is relatively slow. Other (provinces) economic development levels are relatively advanced and go faster, so the birth rate is declining. Gotta be quicker.
[Explanation] From the perspective of changes in the resident population, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hubei, Jiangsu and Fujian are among the top five.
Another 15 provinces saw their permanent population decrease, among which Henan decreased by 580,000, Heilongjiang decreased by 460,000, and Yunnan decreased by 320,000.
Experts said that this is related to the economic recovery in developed regions and the return of labor.
[Concurrent] Liang Zhongtang, a demographer, former expert member of the National Family Planning Commission
2020 and 2021 are actually a very special period. On the one hand, there is the epidemic. On the other hand, many export enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises in Guangdong and Zhejiang are closed. They are all together. Therefore, in the first half of 2020 and 2021, there may be foreigners. The population has such a period of suppression.
Later, the economic recovery attracted these people again. The relatively large-scale reduction of the permanent population was in this labor-rich province, and Henan and Heilongjiang (population) went out more seriously.
Reporter Liu Xuanting reports from Beijing
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]