What is the population of Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a city population of 16,096,724. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
About Guangzhou
Guangzhou (Canton) is the capital of Guangdong Province and the third-largest city in China, with a metropolitan population exceeding 13 million. As the heart of the Pearl River Delta, Guangzhou has been China's gateway to the world for over 2,000 years and remains one of its most important trading and manufacturing centers.
Metro population
13,858,700
0.167% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+1.02%
Archive estimateDensity
3,606/km²
3,843 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#2of 101
Leadership
Guo Yonghang
Coordinates
23.117, 113.250
Record updated
13 April 2026
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 2,091 in ChinaClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Foshan Shadi AirportFUO
19 km from the city centre
- Guangzhou Baiyun International AirportCAN
31 km from the city centre
- Shenzhen Bao'an International AirportSZX
78 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Guangzhou is one of China's oldest cities, serving as a major port on the Maritime Silk Road for over 2,000 years. It was China's only port open to foreign trade for much of the Qing Dynasty. Sun Yat-sen launched revolutionary activities here. The Canton Fair has been held since 1957, making it the world's oldest and largest trade fair.
Economy
Guangzhou is a major economic hub with one of China's highest GDPs. The city is known for manufacturing (electronics, automobiles, petrochemicals), trade (Canton Fair), and services. The Pearl River Delta region is China's factory floor. Guangzhou Port is among the world's busiest. The tech sector is growing alongside neighbors Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Culture
Guangzhou is the heart of Cantonese culture. Cantonese cuisine (dim sum, roast meats) is considered China's finest. The Cantonese language is spoken widely. Traditional opera, lion dances, and festivals are celebrated. Tea culture (yum cha) is central to life. The city blends modernity with Lingnan architectural traditions.
Transportation
Guangzhou has China's third-largest metro system. High-speed rail connects to Hong Kong (47 minutes), Shenzhen, and across China. Baiyun International Airport is among Asia's busiest. The Pearl River provides ferry transport. Extensive buses and ride-hailing serve the city.
Current Challenges
Guangzhou faces challenges including air pollution, traffic congestion, rapid urbanization, and housing affordability. Competition with Shenzhen and Hong Kong for business is intense. The manufacturing sector faces rising costs and automation pressure. Urban villages and informal settlements house migrant workers in challenging conditions.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Canton Tower
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
- Shamian Island
- Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
- Pearl River night cruise
- Beijing Road pedestrian street
- Guangzhou Opera House
- Baiyun Mountain
What Guangzhou Is Known For
- Dim sum
- Trade fairs
- Manufacturing
- Cantonese culture
Universities
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Jinan University
- South China University of Technology
Sports Teams
- Guangzhou FC
- Guangzhou City (football)
Interesting Facts
- The Canton Fair has been held twice yearly since 1957
- Dim sum originated in Guangzhou's teahouses
- Canton Tower was the world's tallest tower (2010-2011)
- Guangzhou has China's largest flower market during Chinese New Year
- The city has been a trading hub for over 2,000 years
Population Trend in China
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 544,044,358 |
| 1960 | 654,802,069 |
| 1970 | 823,308,967 |
| 1980 | 983,163,542 |
| 1990 | 1,153,582,724 |
| 2000 | 1,269,581,175 |
| 2010 | 1,351,561,514 |
| 2020 | 1,426,106,093 |
| 2030 | 1,398,153,832 |
| 2040 | 1,342,816,657 |
| 2050 | 1,260,289,093 |
| 2060 | 1,135,127,191 |
| 2070 | 998,784,319 |
| 2080 | 870,252,344 |
| 2090 | 744,902,836 |
| 2100 | 633,368,113 |
Guangzhou Population FAQ
Where is Guangzhou?
Guangzhou is in Guangdong, China, 1,890 km from the capital, Beijing. Its coordinates are 23.117, 113.250.
How big is Guangzhou compared with other cities in China?
It is the 4th largest of the 2,091 cities listed in China, holding 1.1% of the national population.