Why has Ningxia traditionally had a predominantly rural population?

Ningxia has traditionally maintained a predominantly rural population because its economy has historically been rooted in farming and pasturing.1

The region’s geography and climate have long dictated this lifestyle. While the northern Ningxia plain is arid, it has been supported for centuries by an intricate network of irrigation canals fed by the Huang He, allowing for the cultivation of wheat, rice, and sugar beets. In the southern areas, which are part of the Loess Plateau, the population has relied on mixed agricultural and pastoral activities, including the raising of high-quality sheep.23

Historically, urban centers like Yinchuan functioned primarily as trading hubs for these farm and animal products or as centers for handicrafts. Although the region has seen significant industrial growth since the mid-20th century—driven by coal mining and the development of chemical industries—the foundational reliance on land-based production has kept the majority of the population engaged in rural livelihoods.31