Why did migrants from other Chinese provinces move to Shanghai?

Migrants have moved to Shanghai from other Chinese provinces primarily to seek employment opportunities, particularly in the city's industrial and commercial sectors.1

Historically, the city's transformation into a major center for foreign trade and industry—beginning in the late 19th century—created a demand for a large, inexpensive labor force. As Shanghai developed into China's leading port and industrial hub, it attracted workers to its foreign-owned factories and commercial enterprises.23

In more recent decades, economic reforms initiated in the late 1970s triggered a significant rural-to-urban migration trend. Many individuals from other provinces have moved to Shanghai to find jobs, often working as laborers in the city's expanding economy. These migrants frequently form groups based on their native regions to provide mutual support while navigating the challenges of urban life and employment.41