As of the end of 2022, Qingdao has a permanent resident population of 10.3421 million, marking an increase of 0.83% or 85,400 people compared to the previous year. This growth rate ranks seventh among the 24 Chinese cities with a GDP exceeding one trillion yuan. Located in Shandong Province, which itself has a permanent population of over 100 million, Qingdao is within a 500-kilometer radius that encompasses a population of over 200 million, providing an abundant labor force resource.   

Rising number of Permanent Residents in Qingdao 

Qingdao hosts a total of 27 higher education institutions, including Ocean University of China, Shandong University (Qingdao), China University of Petroleum (East China), University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, and Qingdao Agricultural University. Covering a wide range of disciplines, the number of students enrolled in 2022 was approximately 472,000.

Concentration of Universities in Qingdao - Ocean University of China, China University of Petroleum (Source: Ocean University of China, China University of Petroleum)

Some Universities in Qingdao

Qingdao is among the first cities in China to develop vocational education, with a solid foundation and profound heritage, consistently ranking among the top in the nation.  As of May 2023, Qingdao has 11 independent higher vocational colleges with 96,000 students enrolled, and 68 secondary vocational schools with 116,900 students enrolled. This can provide ample professional and technical personnel for enterprises.

Qingdao is a city with strong research capabilities, hosting 24 national research institutes, 6 provincial research institutes, and 27 high-end research and development institutions. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has 2 comprehensive research institutes (Institutes of Oceanology and New Energy) and 14 branch institutions in Qingdao. Moreover, Qingdao has a prominent advantage in marine scientific research, boasting 26 marine universities and research institutions. It houses one-third of the country's national-level high-end marine research and development platforms, and one-third of the academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering in marine fields are based in Qingdao.

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science in Qingdao is the birthplace of marine science in China. (Source: Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science)

Qingdao has a talent pool exceeding 2.71 million, and for four consecutive years, it has been recognized as "China's Best Talent Attraction City." Additionally, for eleven consecutive years, it has been selected as one of "the most attractive Chinese cities for foreign talents."