Core Insights - Despite a decrease in the overall population of Chongqing in recent years, the population in the main urban area continues to grow, indicating a strong urban agglomeration effect [2][5] - The total population of Chongqing is projected to be 31.90 million by the end of 2024, with the main urban area accounting for 21.83 million, representing 68.43% of the total population [2][5] - The urban planning strategy aims to accommodate a population of 36 million across three coordinated development regions, with the main urban area identified as a key zone for high-quality development [2][3] Population Trends - Chongqing's overall population growth has reversed, with a decrease of 219,100 in 2023 and an additional decrease of 9,600 projected for 2024 [3][4] - The aging population is a significant factor in the decline, with 8.01 million individuals aged 60 and above, resulting in an aging rate of 25.11%, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than the national average [4][5] - The birth rate in Chongqing has been declining, with 191,000 births in 2024 and a natural population growth rate of -2.88‰ [4][5] Urban Area Dynamics - The main urban area of Chongqing has shown a consistent increase in population, with a recorded population of 21.12 million in 2020, rising to 21.83 million in 2024, marking a growth of approximately 43,600 [5] - The center city area has experienced a population increase of 0.7%, while the surrounding regions have seen slight declines, indicating a concentration of population in the urban core [5] - The urban area has become a primary destination for population inflow from surrounding regions due to its economic development, job opportunities, and rich public resources [5]