Shifting population has played a decisive part in Beijing's fast
population growth these years. In the 1980s, no more than 50,000
people moved to Beijing every year, but the figure has jumped to
436 thousand currently; however, experts believe that population in
Beijing will not grow without limit. It might start to drop after
2008.
According to Beijing Evening Post, it is estimated that
Beijing's population will grow to some 18 million by 2020.
The population of Beijing in 2005 was 15.38 million, of which
11.807 million were permanent residents and the rest were of the
shifting population. Though the population of labor forces will
keep growing before 2030, the aging trend of Beijing afterwards
will be irreversible.
(Chinanews.cn January 8, 2007)