One of the largest megacities not only in China, but throughout the world is Shanghai. How many people are in this city today? What is its density? And what demographic problems do local Shanghai authorities face?
How do megacities appear?
In the modern world there are many cities with a large population. And it’s very good when the city is located on a large area, and there is a small population density in it. But if the territory of the metropolis is very limited? It also happens that the city is surrounded by sea and rocks, so its construction is directed upward. At the same time, the number of inhabitants per square kilometer is actively increasing. And from a simple town quickly turns into a densely populated one. That is exactly what Shanghai is.
The population of this metropolis is growing rapidly every year. This is the largest city in China, located in the east of the country in the Yangtze River Delta. It is an important cultural and financial center, as well as the largest seaport in Asia. Shanghai is divided into sixteen districts of urban subordination and one county.
Shanghai: population and location
Shanghai is the most populous city in China and one of the largest cities in the world. At the end of 2011, 23.47 million permanent residents lived in it, of which 9.35 million were visitors from other regions and another 14.12 million had a residence permit in Shanghai.
The population of Shanghai is predominantly Han Chinese. 118 thousand people of small nationalities live in the city, of which 7 thousand are Hui. In addition to the citizens of China, approximately 160 thousand foreigners are constantly living in this city.
The official language of the city is the standard language of putonghua, which is taught in educational institutions. However, communication in everyday life occurs more often in the Shanghai Shanghai dialect. But this dialect is now less commonly used. Shanghai is gradually turning into a world trade center, where many workers from other provinces come together, therefore, the language of Putonghua is increasingly used in the city. There is even a social movement that wants to preserve the Shanghai dialect.
The population of Shanghai is not very evenly distributed throughout the city. So, the most densely populated areas are Pudong, Yangpu and Changningn. The average population density in the city is 3, 706 people per square kilometer of area.
Shanghai: population and growth
In 1843, Shanghai was open to foreign trade, after which its population began to grow rapidly due to immigration. Most often, people came here from the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui, Guangdong and Jiangsu. Many refugees arrived in the city during the Taiping Uprising. The cultural revolution caused the move of the Shanghai to the provinces. In 1990, migrants from Australia, Japan and other countries appeared in Shanghai.
1992 was a period of market reforms carried out later than in the southern provinces. Until that time, most city profits were irrevocably sent to Beijing. The policy of openness and reform has attracted people to Shanghai from other provinces of China.
It should be noted that Shanghai immigration law is quite strict, it is difficult to find a city residence permit, despite the current simplification of the rules. Each year, according to the program for attracting professional employees, about twenty thousand people manage to get such permission.
Shanghai - Asia's largest construction site
As in most other regions of the country, in Shanghai today there is also a construction boom. However, the differences in the modern architecture of the city are in a unique style. So, the upper floors of many skyscrapers, where restaurants are located, often take the form of flying saucers. Many buildings currently under construction are residential high-rise buildings with different heights, designs and colors. Today, the enterprises responsible for Shanghai development planning pay close attention to the formation of parks and green spaces in residential complexes in order to improve the quality of life of their people.
Modern Shanghai is again the main center of communication between the whole country and the West. For example, an information center has been opened here, where Chinese and Western healthcare institutes exchange experience. In Pudong, buildings were erected that are very similar to the residential and business areas of the cities of America and Europe. Nearby are international hotel and shopping areas. Although the population density is very high, Shanghai is famous for its rather low crime rate and friendly attitude to all foreigners.
Shanghai Transportation System
The city’s transport system is modern. Compared to most other Chinese cities, the streets in Shanghai are kept clean. Moreover, it surpasses many other large cities in China in air quality. Although, compared with other megacities of the planet, Shanghai air is significantly polluted.
In Shanghai, public transport is actively developing: thirteen subway lines operate in the city for 2010. Until 2020, it is planned to introduce ten more lines. There are also more than a thousand bus routes in Shanghai.
Here, by the way, the oldest trolleybus system in the world is running, launched back in 1914. In the majority of world megalopolises, trolleybuses appeared at all only in the 60-80s of the last century.
The problem of overpopulation in Shanghai and its solution
The population density of Shanghai is so great that numerous legends already add up about this amazing fact. But in 2014, a completely unimaginable tragedy occurred in the city. On New Year's Eve, a lot of people gathered on one of the squares (about 300 thousand people). Soon, a crowding and stampede began on the square, which killed 36 people.
Indeed, the city of Shanghai is suffering greatly from this problem. Its population grew so rapidly that the authorities were forced to seriously engage in demographic politics. So, until 2014, the Shanghaiers (like all other residents of China) lived on the principle of "One family - one child." In 2014, this strict rule was revised - some families were allowed to give birth to a second child.
Some more interesting demographic facts
The city of Shanghai is growing every year. It is impossible to believe that a hundred years ago there was a tiny village in its place. Today, Shanghai's skyscrapers confidently stretch upward, as if competing with each other in size.
We bring to your attention some more interesting demographic facts about this city:
- Shanghai, whose population today has almost reached 24 million, at the beginning of this century had a total of 16 million inhabitants;
- there are exactly 2% more men in the metropolis than women;
- 74% of Shanghai citizens are considered able-bodied;
- the city has fairly high average life expectancy: 77 years for men and 81 years for women.
