Hebei province seeing rebound in population

The steady improvement of the business environment and living conditions in Hebei province has led to a demographic shift, with the permanent population transitioning from a long-term net outflow to net inflow.

Hebei's total permanent population recorded a net inflow of 20,000 residents at the end of last year, according to the Hebei Provincial Bureau of Statistics.

Among those moving into the province, 88.2 percent were of working age, between 16 and 59, and males accounted for 60.5 percent of the total, the bureau said.

"The inflow population is settling here because key concerns such as business opportunities, housing and welfare benefits are comparable to those they had in Beijing," said Kang Hui, director of the Population and Employment Statistics Department of the Hebei Provincial Bureau of Statistics.

Many of those relocating are personnel from Beijing who have moved to Xiong'an New Area, a State-level development zone in Hebei established in 2017 that has become a key innovation hub.

Jia Mengshuang, a 31-year-old employee of China Telecom Digital City Technology Co in Xiong'an, relocated from Beijing to the new area at the end of 2021.

"Witnessing the rapid changes in the area has given me a strong sense of belonging," she said, adding that the talent card program in Xiong'an has provided her with extensive preferential public services.

Her husband and child have since joined her, settling in Xiong'an for work and daily life.

"Every morning, I drop my child off at the nearby kindergarten, then walk about 10 minutes to the office. The convenience of work and life here is remarkable," Jia said.

Seven cities and areas in Hebei recorded a net population inflow last year.

Xiong'an accounted for 31.1 percent of the total, followed by the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang, at 20.6 percent and Tangshan at 20.4 percent.

"Various policies and measures in these areas are creating a better living and working environment, enhancing their appeal to talent," Kang said.

Beyond Xiong'an, cities such as Shijiazhuang, Tangshan and Baoding have rolled out talent policies to attract and retain skilled professionals with high-quality services and competitive benefits.

Similar demographic trends have emerged in other parts of China.

Jilin province in Northeast China recorded a net inflow of 43,400 people in 2023, its first net gain after 13 years of net outflow. Neighboring Liaoning province saw a net inflow of 86,000 people, reversing a net outflow trend that had persisted for 11 years, according to local statistical authorities.

Economic growth and talent-friendly policies have been key drivers of these shifts.

Jilin's GDP grew 6.3 percent in 2023, ranking seventh nationwide and reaching its highest ranking in recent years. Liaoning recorded GDP growth of 5.3 percent, surpassing the national growth rate for the first time in nearly a decade.

"The high-quality development of the economy, a better business environment, the rise of emerging industries, and improved public services are all contributing to population inflows," Kang said.