GDP唯一负增长！这个经济特区，怎么了？

Core Viewpoint - Shantou, once a promising economic special zone, has experienced continuous economic decline, becoming the only city among the five economic special zones and the only one in Guangdong province to report negative GDP growth [1][4][10]. Economic Performance - In the first three quarters of 2024, Shantou's GDP was 2279.30 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 1.9%. The total GDP for 2024 was 3167.97 billion yuan, showing a nominal decline of 1.2% [1][2]. - The nominal GDP growth rate for 2024 was -0.87%, with a real growth rate of 0.02%, indicating a significant economic slowdown [1][4]. Real Estate Sector - Real estate development investment in Shantou fell by 15.8% in 2023 and continued to decline by 23.6% in 2024 [6][10]. - The sales area of commercial housing dropped to 270.37 million square meters in 2024, a decrease of 25.5% compared to the previous year [9][10]. Industrial and Export Performance - The added value of the secondary industry in Shantou decreased by 6.8% in 2024, with the total industrial output value falling by 18% [10][11]. - Exports declined by 9.2% in 2024, with significant drops in various sectors, including a 40.4% decrease in the textile and apparel industry [11][27]. Comparison with Other Cities - Shantou's economic output is less than one-eleventh of Shenzhen's and only 36.9% of Xiamen's, highlighting its relative economic weakness [2][4]. - Shantou lacks any trillion-yuan industries and has only nine hundred-billion-yuan industries, indicating a fragile industrial base [18][20]. Geographic and Environmental Factors - Shantou's geographical isolation and lack of external economic support have hindered its development compared to other special economic zones like Shenzhen and Xiamen [32][34]. - The family-based business culture in the Chaoshan region has created barriers for external investment, limiting economic growth opportunities [35][36]. Administrative Division Impact - The division of the Chaoshan region into four cities has led to resource fragmentation and weakened Shantou's position as a regional economic leader [37][38]. - Calls for the merger of Shantou, Chaozhou, and Jieyang into a single administrative entity have increased, reflecting a desire for stronger regional cooperation [38].