又一个千万人口大市，诞生了

Core Viewpoint - Hefei has become the 18th city in China to reach a permanent population of over 10 million, marking its status as a significant urban center in the Yangtze River Delta region [2][3]. Group 1: Hefei's Population Growth - Hefei's permanent population reached 10.002 million, an increase of 149,000 from the previous year [2]. - The city has seen a rapid population increase from 8.57 million in 2012 to 10.02 million in 2024, with recent years showing accelerated growth, ranking among the top three provincial capitals in population increase [10][14]. - The population expansion is attributed to the city's strategic integration into the Yangtze River Delta and the development of emerging industries, which have significantly enhanced its economic position [11][12]. Group 2: Economic Development - Hefei's GDP reached 1.35 trillion in 2024, placing it among the top 20 cities in China, with a notable industrial output growth of 14.8%, the highest among cities with a GDP over 1 trillion [14]. - The city has successfully transformed its economic landscape by fostering new industries such as new energy vehicles, advanced displays, and integrated circuits, contributing to its population growth [16]. Group 3: Population Trends in Provincial Capitals - Recent trends indicate that the fastest-growing cities are now provincial capitals rather than coastal industrial cities, with Hefei, Hangzhou, and Chengdu leading this shift [17]. - In 2024, while Anhui's overall population grew by only 20,000, Hefei alone added 149,000 residents, highlighting the concentration of population growth in provincial capitals [18]. - This trend is observed across many central and western provincial capitals, where they experience population growth despite overall provincial declines [24]. Group 4: Future Prospects for Population Growth - The article discusses potential candidates for the next cities to reach a population of 10 million, including Wenzhou, Ningbo, and Nanjing, with varying growth prospects [37][38]. - The competition for population growth is intensifying, making it increasingly challenging for cities to maintain double-digit growth rates as national population growth stabilizes [40]. - Economic growth and the emergence of new industries are critical for cities aspiring to increase their populations, emphasizing the importance of retaining residents over merely attracting new ones [41].