Acceleration of Urbanization

Urbanization in China has experienced a significant acceleration, with the share of the urban population increasing from 19.39% in 1980 to 66.16% in 2023. This marks a remarkable growth of 46.77 percentage points over 43 years, showcasing a transformative shift towards urban living.

Decade of Rapid Urban Growth

The decade between 2000 and 2010 was particularly pivotal, witnessing a growth of 13.73 percentage points in urban population share, from 36.22% to 49.95%. This period underscores a critical phase in China's urbanization trajectory, reflecting broader economic and social reforms.

Consistent Annual Increases

China's urban population share has consistently increased annually, without any year showing a decline. For instance, from 2019 to 2020, the urban population share rose from 62.71% to 63.89%, highlighting steady urbanization even in recent years.

Acceleration in Recent Years

Recent years have seen a notable acceleration in urbanization, with an increase of 1.2 percentage points from 2020 to 2021, and then a further increase to 66.16% by 2023. These increments underscore a continued push towards urbanization at an even faster pace in the last few years.

Early Stages of Urban Growth

In the initial stages of urbanization, from 1980 to 1985, the urban population share grew by 4.32 percentage points, from 19.39% to 23.71%. This early growth laid the foundational shifts towards urban living in China.

Long-term Urbanization Trend

Over a span of four decades, China's urban population share increased at an average rate of approximately 1.17 percentage points per year, highlighting a sustained long-term trend towards urbanization.

Significant Milestones in Urbanization

China reached significant milestones in its urbanization journey, with the urban population share surpassing 50% in 2011, making it a predominantly urban nation. This milestone represents a critical shift in demographic patterns.

Comparing Recent Decadal Growth

The growth in urban population share from 2010 to 2020, at approximately 13.94 percentage points, slightly outpaces the growth from 2000 to 2010, indicating a sustained or slightly increased pace in urbanization in the most recent decade.

Impact of Recent Developments

Given the data ends in 2023 and it is now 2024, the consistent year-on-year increase in urban population share suggests that China's urbanization likely continued to advance beyond 2023, further entrenching urban living as the predominant mode of life.