As of November 2024, Beijing's foreign workforce has seen a significant decline, with only 22,000 foreigners living and working long-term in the capital, down from 37,000 a decade ago. This reduction means that foreigners now account for just 0.2% of the city's workforce and 0.1% of its total population [ad68343a]. The demographic composition of expatriates has also shifted; the percentage of Americans and Europeans has decreased from 16% in 2019 to 12%, while the proportion of Africans has increased to 31%, up from 26% [ad68343a]. Additionally, the number of Russians and Eastern Europeans has risen from 11% in 2019 to 16% [ad68343a].
In terms of education, 40% of expatriates in 2023 hold at least a master’s degree, and 20% meet the tier-A visa requirements, a notable increase from just 7% in 2018 [ad68343a]. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on highly skilled workers as China aims to position itself as a tech innovation hub by 2025 under President Xi Jinping's leadership [ad68343a].
However, the decline in foreign professionals is attributed to several challenges, including geopolitical tensions and a decoupling trend between global headquarters and their operations in China. These factors have made it increasingly difficult for foreign talent to navigate the employment landscape in Beijing [ad68343a]. The shift in the foreign workforce demographic highlights the changing nature of expatriate life in the capital, as well as the broader implications for China's economic ambitions in a rapidly evolving global context [ad68343a].