Beijing's Youth Population Halves in 10 Years: Fewer Opportunities, High Cost of Living
Beijing's youth population (aged 20-29) has nearly halved in the past decade, with reports indicating that decreasing opportunities, high cost of living, and a rigid hukou system are driving young people away from the city.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 21:37
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Shu-ling, Beijing, 4th) China's capital, Beijing, is rapidly aging, with the number of young people aged 20 to 29 almost halving in 10 years, a topic that has recently sparked heated discussion. Analysis points out that Beijing offers fewer opportunities for young people, and the high cost of living and rigid hukou system also make them choose to vote with their feet.
According to an April 29 report by Economic Observer, a review of annual statistical yearbooks recently released by statistical departments of various provinces shows that from 2015 to 2024, Beijing's resident population aged 20 to 29 (hereinafter referred to as "young people") decreased from 4.618 million to 2.489 million, a cumulative reduction of 2.129 million people, with its proportion declining year by year from 21.3% to 11.4%.
During the same period, Beijing's resident population aged 60 and above increased from 3.405 million to 5.14 million, an increase of 1.735 million people.
The report stated that Beijing's proportion of young people was once significantly higher than the national average, but by 2024, Beijing's proportion of young people has approached the national average of 10.56%.
The report pointed out that Beijing still attracts people from other regions. In 2024, the proportion of the non-local population in Beijing's resident population reached 37.5%.
Mr. Wei, 34, has been working and living in Beijing since 2016, having moved from Shandong. He told the Central News Agency reporter that if young people stay in Beijing for five years and their income remains average, considering the high cost of living, plans for marriage and childbirth, and the possibility of obtaining a hukou in the future, they usually choose to leave the city, as "this place doesn't encourage you to stay."
He believes that especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic situation has not been good in recent years, and "everyone is tired and doesn't want to compete anymore."
Scholar Wang Mingyuan wrote on the WeChat public account "Fuchengmen No. 6 Courtyard" that Beijing's youth population is already far lower than that of Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. While this is an achievement in Beijing's comprehensive management of large cities, it also leads to a loss of urban competitiveness. If the population trend remains unchanged, Beijing will become a city without vitality by 2030.
He analyzed the reasons for Beijing's decreasing attractiveness to young people, pointing out that although Beijing is one of the national science and technology innovation centers, resources are concentrated in a few major technology private enterprises, and the proportion of growing small and medium-sized enterprises is getting smaller, leading to fewer growth opportunities for young people.
For example, in 2013, 72% of Peking University graduates chose to stay in Beijing, but by 2024, this figure dropped to 42%, with a significant increase in the number of people going to Shanghai and Guangdong.
In addition, the article pointed out that Beijing's high housing prices also deter elite outsiders from entering Beijing; some young people choose to live in the nearby cheaper Hebei Province but have to face strict and complex entry security checks into Beijing.
The article stated that the rigid hukou system is also a reason for talent flight. Many families around the author, with annual incomes of over 1 million RMB (about 4.6 million New Taiwan Dollars), have been unable to obtain a hukou in Beijing for more than 10 years, affecting their children's schooling. They eventually had to live separately or move together to Shenzhen for work. These excellent industrial talents contribute a large amount of taxes and consumption to Beijing but ultimately cannot settle in Beijing. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150504
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Shu-ling, Beijing, 4th) China's capital, Beijing, is rapidly aging, with the number of young people aged 20 to 29 almost halving in 10 years, a topic that has recently sparked heated discussion. Analysis points out that Beijing offers fewer opportunities for young people, and the high cost of living and rigid hukou system also make them choose to vote with their feet.
According to an April 29 report by Economic Observer, a review of annual statistical yearbooks recently released by statistical departments of various provinces shows that from 2015 to 2024, Beijing's resident population aged 20 to 29 (hereinafter referred to as "young people") decreased from 4.618 million to 2.489 million, a cumulative reduction of 2.129 million people, with its proportion declining year by year from 21.3% to 11.4%.
During the same period, Beijing's resident population aged 60 and above increased from 3.405 million to 5.14 million, an increase of 1.735 million people.
The report stated that Beijing's proportion of young people was once significantly higher than the national average, but by 2024, Beijing's proportion of young people has approached the national average of 10.56%.
The report pointed out that Beijing still attracts people from other regions. In 2024, the proportion of the non-local population in Beijing's resident population reached 37.5%.
Mr. Wei, 34, has been working and living in Beijing since 2016, having moved from Shandong. He told the Central News Agency reporter that if young people stay in Beijing for five years and their income remains average, considering the high cost of living, plans for marriage and childbirth, and the possibility of obtaining a hukou in the future, they usually choose to leave the city, as "this place doesn't encourage you to stay."
He believes that especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic situation has not been good in recent years, and "everyone is tired and doesn't want to compete anymore."
Scholar Wang Mingyuan wrote on the WeChat public account "Fuchengmen No. 6 Courtyard" that Beijing's youth population is already far lower than that of Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. While this is an achievement in Beijing's comprehensive management of large cities, it also leads to a loss of urban competitiveness. If the population trend remains unchanged, Beijing will become a city without vitality by 2030.
He analyzed the reasons for Beijing's decreasing attractiveness to young people, pointing out that although Beijing is one of the national science and technology innovation centers, resources are concentrated in a few major technology private enterprises, and the proportion of growing small and medium-sized enterprises is getting smaller, leading to fewer growth opportunities for young people.
For example, in 2013, 72% of Peking University graduates chose to stay in Beijing, but by 2024, this figure dropped to 42%, with a significant increase in the number of people going to Shanghai and Guangdong.
In addition, the article pointed out that Beijing's high housing prices also deter elite outsiders from entering Beijing; some young people choose to live in the nearby cheaper Hebei Province but have to face strict and complex entry security checks into Beijing.
The article stated that the rigid hukou system is also a reason for talent flight. Many families around the author, with annual incomes of over 1 million RMB (about 4.6 million New Taiwan Dollars), have been unable to obtain a hukou in Beijing for more than 10 years, affecting their children's schooling. They eventually had to live separately or move together to Shenzhen for work. These excellent industrial talents contribute a large amount of taxes and consumption to Beijing but ultimately cannot settle in Beijing. (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150504
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.