Wuhan's 2026 population is now estimated at 11,746,708. In 1990, the population of Wuhan was 3,791,622. Wuhan has grown by 208,638 in the last year, which represents a 1.81% annual change. These population values and projections come from China city population series 1990-2020 via CityPopulation official attribution and World Population Review Internal Projections .
Wuhan is a city located in Central China. It is the largest city in the region, and it is also the capital of the Hubei province. This city has the nickname “the Chicago of China” because it is a hub for transportation. The city has a very large population, with the most current estimates putting it at 10,607,700.
The urban outline of the city covers an area of 1,528 km² (590 sq mi). The sub-provincial and prefecture level of the city expands outward to a total of 8,494.41 km² (3,279.71 sq mi). The urban population density comes to approximately 1,200/km² (3,200/sq mi).
There are many different ethnic groups throughout Wuhan, with the most populous being the Han Chinese. Other minorities include Zhuang, Manchu, Hui and Yi, just to name a few.
Many people have immigrated to Wuhan from other areas in and around China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. There are also residents originally from South Korea, the US and Japan.
The official language is Chinese – or Putonghua. There are also other minority languages spoken in the region, such as Yue and Eastern Min.
Wuhan’s history dates back 3,500 years, making it one of the most ancient cities in China. Since its early days, Wuhan has served as a busy and important port city. It also, in the years that followed, became a city known for its role in the arts.
During the Yuan dynasty, the city was designated as a provincial capital. It was soon after that the city was known for being one of the most important trading cities in China.
Throughout the 19th century, Wuhan continued to grow, including the introduction of the railroad, which further cemented the city’s role as a city of trade.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the city exchanged hands multiple times. In the late 1930s, it was taken by the Japanese and was made a logistics center. In the 1940s, the city was mostly destroyed during firebombing raids. Many lives were lost in the firebombing of Wuhan.
Today, the city is seen as a center for politics, economics, finance, culture and education. It continues to hold its role as a major hub for transportation. The city is even planning to build a hub that will connect five continents.
Wuhan has seen a high rate of historic population growth throughout the years. The city is known for being a transportation hub, having a strong economy, and being the site of multiple major industrial zones, offering employment opportunities. Between 2014 and 2015, the population grew by 2.61%. Because of the city’s important roles and opportunities, growth is expected to continue in the years to come.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24,722,254 | 1.93% |
| Beijing | 21,571,693 | 2.06% |
| Shenzhen | 20,622,629 | 2.64% |
| Guangzhou | 18,515,410 | 2.23% |
| Chengdu | 15,831,571 | 2.44% |
| Tianjin | 12,361,093 | 1.8% |
| Wuhan | 11,746,708 | 1.81% |
| Dongguan | 11,485,606 | 2.74% |
| Chongqing | 10,933,060 | 2.1% |
| Xi'an | 10,738,037 | 2.13% |
| Hangzhou | 10,697,657 | 2.33% |
| Foshan | 10,673,812 | 2.61% |
| Nanjing | 8,562,383 | 2.07% |
| Shenyang | 7,701,267 | 1.48% |
| Zhengzhou | 7,487,991 | 2.34% |
| Qingdao | 7,080,465 | 2.2% |
| Suzhou | 6,911,912 | 2.52% |
| Changsha | 6,494,068 | 2.27% |
| Jinan | 6,436,275 | 2.08% |
| Kunming | 6,061,121 | 2.21% |
