Shanghai's Shrinking Expat Population: What Might This Mean For China?

上海外籍人口减少：这对中国意味着什么？

Being the gateway of China, Shanghai suffered during the Covid lockdowns. But it also benefited when the country pushed to re-engage with the world. As China offers longer visa-free entries to more countries, Shanghai’s attractions are filled with foreign tourists again. But the tourist numbers only tell half the story.

Since the draconian Covid lockdowns, Shanghai has been fully open for business for more than two years now. But the chunk of the expat community it lost has never really returned. Are Shanghai’s heydays on the international stage as a cosmopolitan global hub behind it?

作为中国的门户，上海在疫情期间遭受了重创。但当这个国家推动与世界重新接触时，它也受益了。随着中国为更多国家提供更长时间的免签证入境，上海的景点再次挤满了外国游客。但游客数量只说明了问题的一半。

自疫情以来，上海已经全面开放了两年多。但它失去的大部分外籍人士社区未真正回归。上海作为国际化全球中心在国际舞台上的鼎盛时期已经过去了吗？

以下是外国网友的评论：

inmars2023

What’s ridiculous is that Singapore is only one-tenth the size of Shanghai and is home to more than five million people.

可笑的是，新加坡的面积只有上海的十分之一，人口却超过500万。

sig_7760

International school fees in China are unjustifiable. 2 kids will cost nearly $100,000 USD. Insane.

中国的国际学校收费是不合理的，两个孩子花费近10万美元，疯了。

waynenathan2608

In the past, most foreigners in Shanghai, China, were English teachers. Almost anyone who speaks a little English can become an English language teacher. When China started to regulate the market by allowing only native speakers, many had no choice but to leave. A lot of them went to Vietnam and Thailand. For the professional expatriate population, Shanghai is becoming more expensive, particularly regarding healthcare and education! Some employers include family healthcare and school fees in their payment plans/salaries, while others pay out of their own pockets. As an entrepreneur, I need to cover everything myself! The school fees and health insurance for my two kids alone cost about $75,000 SGD. Before coming to China, I lived in Singapore, and I totally disagree with people labeling Singapore as the most expensive city. If you want to maintain a decent lifestyle, Shanghai, China, will cost you much more than Singapore.

过去，在中国上海的大多数外国人都是英语老师。几乎任何会说一点英语的人都能当英语教师。当中国开始规范市场，只允许母语人士入境时，许多人别无选择，只能离开。很多人去了越南和泰国。对于专业的外籍人士来说，上海的生活成本正变得越来越昂贵，尤其是医疗和教育方面！一些雇主将家庭医疗保健和学费包括在他们的支付计划/工资中，而其他雇主则自掏腰包。作为一个企业家，我要包揽一切！仅我两个孩子的学费和医疗保险就花费了大约7.5万新元。在来中国之前，我住在新加坡，我完全不认可人们把新加坡称为最昂贵的城市。如果你想保持体面的生活方式，在上海的花费将比在新加坡高得多。

mrsonguku

Foreigners used to earn cheap money in china. This time is gone

外国人过去在中国赚钱很容易。这种日子已经过去了

DaveCampo-p6f

It’s really interesting to see how things have changed over the years. China’s getting to a point where they don’t need foreign talent anymore since they’re becoming leaders in so many industries

看看这些年来的变化真的很有趣。中国已经不再需要外国人才了，因为他们已经成为许多行业的领导者

ECOSAM_

As Shanghai navigates the challenges of losing its expat population, it’s a reminder of the importance of community and resilience. Here in Singapore, supporting our local small businesses helps us stay strong as a vibrant global hub. From cozy cafes to family-run shops, every dollar spent on homegrown brands contributes to a thriving and united community. Let’s come together to back local and keep Singapore shining on the international stage

在上海应对外籍人口流失的挑战之际，也提醒了社区和韧性的重要性。在新加坡，支持本地小企业有助于我们保持强大，成为一个充满活力的全球中心。从舒适的咖啡馆到家庭经营的商店，花在本土品牌上的每一美元都有助于建立繁荣和团结的社区。让我们团结起来，支持本地，让新加坡在国际舞台上熠熠生辉。

flyboyph6336

Even if foreigners will shrink that wouldn't make shanghai unsustainable. Leave them alone domestic market can sustain them anyway. And by far i could say i was there recently and they are doing well and fine.

即使外国人少了，也不会让上海难以为继。不管怎样，国内市场可以支撑他们。我最近在那里，我可以说到目前为止，他们做得很好。

JonTan-z3e

half a million tik tok users just migrated to red note and pierced the great us propaganda wall and see what china really is like for the first time behind the endless western anti china bashing the last 5,7 years....i think we might see a renaissance in china tourism soon.

50万tik tok难民刚刚迁移到小红书上，并穿透了美国的宣传墙，第一次看到了过去5、7年来西方无休止的反华攻击背后的中国到底是什么样子....我想我们很快就会看到中国旅游业的复兴。

vietnamesebeauties

As a Vietnamese student, I've observed that things have changed rapidly after covid pandemic. Our economic capital, Saigon, is opposite direction of  China's economic capital,  Shanghai! We are seeing more foreign tourists & expatriates than before working in our cities.

作为一名越南学生，我观察到，疫情后，情况发生了迅速变化。我们的经济之都西贡与中国的经济之都上海方向相反！我们看到越来越多的外国游客和外籍人士在我们的城市工作。

eugenechin2863

My bizz doing wonderful in Shanghai. Shanghai shops like any big city is struggling cause a lot of the people purchase goods and even food online these days. Shops in many major cities are struggling. Look at malls in the west, they closing down one by one. Loads of money still in China. Lets just say i raised and earn more money in Shanghai than in NYC.

我在上海的生意很好。和其他大城市一样，上海的商店也在苦苦挣扎，现在很多人都在网上购买商品甚至食品。许多大城市的商店都在苦苦挣扎。看看西方的购物中心，一个接一个地倒闭。大量资金仍在中国。这么说吧，我在上海赚的钱比在纽约多。

Trueye-sl2mr

Their expertise can now be provided by locals.

他们本地就有专业人才了

lwty

As a resident in Shanghai, the worst years have already passed. There are more foreigners than in 2023.

我是上海居民，最糟糕的岁月已经过去。外国人比2023年还多。

callas60

Oh my god, it’s 2025 and the Singapore news media is still focusing on covid.

天哪，现在是2025年了，新加坡新闻媒体还在拿新冠说事。

ArabicReja973

Chinese property sector, which accounts for 30% of GDP, is crashing.

- Exports and imports, accounting for 37% GDP, are down.

- Foreign investment (FDI) is falling over 90%, lowest in 3 decades.

- Foreign visitors are down 96% compared to the 2019 pre-pandemic level.

- Consumer prices are experiencing deflation.

- Youth unemployment hits over 21%, a record.

- Its fast-shrinking workforce is 10 years older than neighboring countries.

  Still, China keeps reporting outrageous GDP numbers. Lol

Where does the growth come from?

占GDP 30%的中国房地产行业正在崩溃。

占GDP37%的进出口下降。

外国投资（FDI）下降超过90%，为30年来的最低水平。

与2019年疫情前相比，外国游客减少了96%。

居民消费价格出现通缩。

青年失业率超过21%，创历史新高。

快速萎缩的劳动力比邻国老10岁。

尽管如此，中国仍在不断公布GDP数据。哈哈，增长从何而来？

GeorgeKuan-o8m

Let’s remember expats is not a color, which is what this seemingly elude to that expats in China are white.  There are still decent amount of expats from Korea, in Shanghai community.

在中国的外国人都是白人？外国人不止一种肤色。上海仍然有很多的韩国人

gdmit-i6j

Shanghai welcomes talents. If you are a high-tech talent, your annual income in Shanghai can reach one million US dollars. A friend of mine works in biological sciences and has been in Shanghai for 5 years. His annual income is between 500,000 --- 700,000 US dollars. He has already settled there. The key is that he is still very young.

上海欢迎人才。如果你是高科技人才，你在上海的年收入可以达到一百万美元。我的一个朋友从事生物科学工作，在上海已经5年了。他的年收入在50万至70万美元之间。他已经在那里定居了，关键是他还很年轻。

miaouscleaumonocle

Could be interesting to see, after this video on the situation in Shanghai, how other cities are doing, regarding attracting foreigners. I have the feeling some are doing good (Chengdu...).

看了上海的情况后感觉有意思。看看其他城市在吸引外国人方面是如何做的。我感觉有些城市做得很好（比如成都…）。

flyingblindman

I recall a crackdown on uncertified English teachers in Shanghai few years ago (I think it's heavily started in 2018). Before this, many foreigners could easily secure English teaching jobs while on student visas, particularly those with "European looks," regardless of their thick Russian/French/other accents, or even their actual English proficiency. However, not all of them are leaving China. Some may find new teaching opportunities in second-tier cities, often by obtaining another student visa through enrollment in Chinese language programs at local universities. So, yeah, that happened.

我记得几年前上海对无证英语教师的打击（是从2018年开始的）。在此之前，许多外国人拿学生签证就能从事英语教学工作，特别是那些“欧洲人”，不管他们浓重的俄语/法语/其他口音，甚至他们的实际英语水平如何。然而，并非所有人都在离开中国。一些人可能会在二线城市找到新的教学机会，通常是通过在当地大学注册中文课程获得另一张学生签证。

htahtoo8851

When unemployment rate rises, they prioritze the locals. i respect it.

当失业率上升时，他们会优先考虑当地人。我尊重这一点。

binzen7173

Just ‘scratching the surface’ and dated reporting. Like someone commented it’s 2025, you can’t use covid as the main factor to explain things happening in SG or anywhere else in the world. Many foreign companies are also starting to realise that they are losing market share to Chinese counterparts. Also is the reduction in number of expats specific to Shanghai compared to other global cities? SG also experience a drastic drop after covid with rising cost of living and tech layoffs.

现在是2025年了，你不能用疫情作为主要因素来解释现在发生的事情。许多外国公司也开始意识到，它们的市场份额正在被中国同行抢走。此外，与其他全球城市相比，上海外籍人士数量的减少是上海独有的吗？随着生活成本的上升和技术裁员，新加坡也经历了急剧下降。

YSKWatch

less expat means more jobs for locals. it's a good thing.

更少的外籍人士意味着更多的本地就业机会。这是一件好事。

Timbucktoothed

Only foreigners walking around now days are some  South Korean tourists.

现在韩国游客多。

garyhooper2728

I have been resident in Shanghai over 21 years - its very different now many business's really struggle, cash flow, there is definitely less ex-pats I see this in the international hospitals, people have money (locals) but are not sure of the future and reduce spending mainly eating out and house prices have reduced, its still a great city to work and live in

我在上海住了21年多了——现在非常不同了，很多企业的日子真的很难过。我在国际医院看到的外国人肯定更少了，人们有钱（当地人），但对未来不确定，所以减少开支，减少在外面吃饭，房价也下降了，上海仍然是一个适合工作和生活的好城市

shanghaidiscovery2664

Demographics have changed and there are less Europeans and AMericans and far more Asians and people from the middle East, Africa, South America etc.  But China changing is not new...

人口结构发生了变化，欧洲人和美国人越来越少，亚洲人和来自中东、非洲、南美等地的人越来越多。

GoodWhinger

Free movement of people, capital and data.  None of that exsts in China and is, in fact, only getting worse.  It is harder for foreign business to establish Chinese operations due to restrictive data laws.

China has not fully abandoned its worst behaviours from its wolf warrior diplomacy such as intimidating foreign governments (most notably the Philippines and Australia) and hostage diplomacy (Canada).

人员、资本和数据的自由流动。这些在中国都不存在，事实上，只会变得更糟。由于限制性的数据法律，外国企业在中国开展业务变得更加困难。

中国并没有完全放弃战狼外交，比如恐吓外国（最著名的是菲律宾和澳大利亚）和人质外交（加拿大）。

CrapKerouac

I miss nothing about china but Shanghai. I love that city.

除了上海，我对中国什么都不怀念。我爱那个城市。

ToolsAreToys

I love Shanghai. I don't want to leave.

我爱上海。我不想离开。

windsong3wong828

There are fewer expats in Kuala Lumpur in 2024 vs 2019 as well.

But there are more expats in 2024 vs 2023.

Working from home show that a lot of expats are working from home ….instead of heading to the Asian cities.

2024年吉隆坡的外籍人士也比2019年少。

但与2023年相比，2024年的外籍人士更多。

居家工作表明很多外国人在家工作，而不是去亚洲城市。

rklmbd2934

Note: when a Chinese person says "foreign" or "expat" they mean white. Travellers from the 54 countries in Africa, the 20 in Latin America (unless they look white) or the other 48 in Asia do not count.

注意：当中国人说“外国人”或“外国人”时，他们指的是白人。来自非洲54个国家、拉丁美洲20个国家（除非他们长得像白人）或亚洲其他48个国家的游客都不算在内。

继续阅读：上海   外籍   人口   外国游客

此文由 三泰虎 编辑，未经允许不得转载！：首页 > 资讯 » 上海外籍人口减少：这对中国意味着什么