Eight regions report population increases

Thriving economy, urbanization spike draw migrants seeking opportunities

At least eight provincial-level regions in China reported growth in their resident populations last year amid rapid urbanization, according to data released by local authorities and experts.

The regions that reported population growth are the Xinjiang Uygur and Xizang autonomous regions, and Shaanxi province in western China; Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian provinces in the east; and Guangdong and Hainan provinces in the south, according to statistics from regional authorities.

Meanwhile, the populations of Jiangsu province and Tianjin remained stable from the previous year, while 19 provincial-level regions reported a decline. Heilongjiang province and the Ningxia Hui autonomous region have yet to release their demographic data for last year.