Our estimate of the Guangzhou population is 13,476,852.
Based on the 2014 population of 13.08 million Guangzhou is the third largest city in China, after Shanghai (24 million) and Beijing (21 million).
Guangzhou, previously known as Canton, is the largest city in Guangdong province, and is a part of the Pearl River Delta Mega City. This massive urban area includes other major Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Dongguan. In total, the Pearl River Delta Megacity has a population of 44 million people.
The number of people living in Guangzhou varies throughout the year because it attracts many seasonal migrants, who only live in the city for part of the year. This floating migrant population helps the city to maintain a flexible labour market, that can respond to increases and decreases in demand for work.
Guangzhou population by year
The following table shows the population of Guangzhou since 1950. Figures between 1950 and 2000 are for every decade. Figures since 2005 show population growth in Guangzhou updated every year.
| Year | Population | Percentage change |
| 1950 | 2.56 million | n/a |
| 1960 | 3.68 million | +43.4% |
| 1970 | 4.18 million | +13.6% |
| 1980 | 5.01 million | +18.4% |
| 1990 | 5.94 million | +18.4% |
| 2000 | 9.94 million | +67.3% |
| 2002 | 10.10 million | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 9.49 million | -6.0% |
| 2006 | 9.96 million | +4.9% |
| 2007 | 10.53 million | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 11.15 million | +5.9% |
| 2009 | 11.86 million | +6.4% |
| 2010 | 12.70 million | +7.0% |
| 2011 | 12.75 million | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 12.82 million | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 12.92 million | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 13.08 million | +1.2% |
The rate of population growth in Guangzhou is difficult to predict because it varies so widely – in the last ten years alone, the rate has been as high as 7% per annum (2010) and as low as 0.4% per annum (2013).
It is likely that economic factors have a major impact on population growth, and growth is likely to be highest when the economy is doing well, and there are jobs in Guangzhou that attract internal migrants. Likewise, growth is likely to be slower when the economy is doing less well, and new jobs are harder to come by.
Guangzhou population projections
By 2020, it is estimated that there will be more than 18 million people living in Guangzhou. This growth will be caused mostly by internal migration, but there are concerns that the relaxation of China’s one child policy will also boost population growth.
This has caused alarm in the Chinese government, because such rapid population growth will place a major strain on the city’s infrastructure – roads, urban transit, healthcare, housing, etc.
To combat this, plans are being developed to limit population growth in Guangzhou.
Guangzhou population density
Guangzhou is one of the more densely populated cities in China – at last count, population density in Guangzhou was 1,708 people per square kilometer.
The urban population of Guangzhou is slightly lower – at 11,070,654. The remainder of the population lives in Guangzhou’s rural areas.
Population of Guangzhou by administrative district
Here is a map and table that shows each administrative district in Guangzhou and the number of people who live in each.
| District name | Population (2010) |
| Liwan | 898,200 |
| Yuexiu | 1,157,666 |
| Haizhu | 1,558,663 |
| Tianhe | 1,432,426 |
| Baiyun | 2,223,150 |
| Huangpu | 831,586 |
| Panyu | 1,764,828 |
| Huadu | 945,005 |
| Nansha | 259,900 |
| Conghua | 593,415 |
| Zengcheng | 1,037,109 |
As you can see from the table, districts in the centre and west of the city are the most populous, and the most densely populated. They could be considered the city’s urban areas.
Those in the north, east and south of the city are much less densely populated, and could be considered its rural areas.
Where is Guangzhou located?
Here is a map which shows where Guangzhou is located in China.
Guangzhou is in Southern China, in Guangdong province. Located on the Pearl River, just inland from the Southern cost, and just 75 miles north of Hong Kong and next to the special economic zone of Shenzhen, its location is perfect for a major trading and manufacturing city.
It is one of the richest cities in China – Guangzhou’s nominal GDP in 2013 was $248 billion, which is roughly equivalent to the economy of Ireland. GDP per capita was $19,459, almost three times the average GDP per capita of China for 2013 ($6,995).
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