Shenzhen's economic performance has been a beacon of growth in China, with its GDP expanding by 5.4% in the first three quarters of 2024. This growth rate outpaces that of Guangzhou at 2%, Beijing at 5.1%, and Shanghai at 4.7% [South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3284475/roar-shenzhen-economic-engine-reflects-upgrade-ambitions-sets-good-example-china?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection) (source). The city, which boasts a population of 17.8 million, is home to major technology firms such as Huawei, BYD, and DJI, contributing significantly to its economic dynamism.
Investment in hi-tech manufacturing in Shenzhen surged by an impressive 42.2%, far exceeding the national average. By 2023, the city's economic size reached 3.46 trillion yuan (approximately $505 billion), making it comparable to the GDP of Norway [South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3284475/roar-shenzhen-economic-engine-reflects-upgrade-ambitions-sets-good-example-china?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection) (source). Furthermore, Shenzhen is home to 34 unicorn companies, matching the total in Germany, underscoring its status as a global tech hub.
Exports from Shenzhen also saw a remarkable increase of 19.7%, totaling 2.1 trillion yuan, with private enterprises accounting for 70% of this growth. Analyst Peng Peng highlighted Shenzhen's resilience in the face of US containment measures, suggesting that its economic model could serve as a good example for other regions in China [South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3284475/roar-shenzhen-economic-engine-reflects-upgrade-ambitions-sets-good-example-china?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection) (source).
In contrast, Shanghai, which is also celebrating significant economic milestones, has seen its GDP grow twelve-fold since 1999, reaching 223,455 billion yuan (approximately $223.5 trillion) in the first half of 2024. However, Shanghai's growth has been tempered by broader national economic challenges, including slowing retail sales and declining property investment [SHINE News](https://www.shine.cn/biz/economy/2409303132/) (source). While both cities exhibit strong economic indicators, Shenzhen's recent performance highlights its potential as a model for innovation and resilience in China's evolving economic landscape.