China Officially More Urban Than Rural

On Tuesday, China's National Bureau of Statistics announced that China has, for the first time ever, more urban than rural dwellers.

1 minute read

January 17, 2012, 1:00 PM PST

By Judy Chang

"Just over 680 million now live in cities – 51.27 per cent of China's entire population of nearly 1.35 billion.

Most have moved during two decades of boom in search of economic opportunities, and the historic mass migration from fields to office and apartment blocks has ended the country's centuries-long agrarian status.

But the rapid modernization and demand for improved living standards is piling extra pressure on society and the already blighted environment, experts claim.

With 75 per cent of Chinese expected to be living in cities within 20 years, the demand for more transport, energy, water and other vital infrastructure is set to test resources and city planners."

FULL STORY: China's urban population exceeds rural for first time ever

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in The Telegraph

Community / Economic Development Government / Politics Social / Demographics Urban Development China Urbanization View More

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