Zhengjiang and Guangdong saw the highest growth in permanent resident population according to data from the 21st Century Economic Research Institute in 2017 through 2019, the 21st Century Business Herald reported on Friday.

In the three years, immigrants increased by 651,000 and 569,900 in the two provinces, making them the biggest winners in talent contest, reflecting the accelerating trend that population in China is migrating toward the South, the research institute analyzed.

Land, mineral products and policies were traditionally regarded by local governments as resources fueling economy, but in the latest years human resources.

The 21st Century Business Herald reported, back to 2006 through 2016, Tianjian, Beijing and Shanghai were the top three cities with the highest permanent population growth rate. Tianjin recorded an average annual growth of 3.81 percent. While in the last two years from 2017 to 2019, the three fell back in the talent contest, the city of Tianjin saw merely 0.15 percent annual increase.

Zhejiang and Guangdong in southern China has replaced Tianjin and Beijing in northern China as new destinations for migrants.

Behind the population mobility is the change in economic gravity, the research institute said. Eight out of top 10 provinces with highest GDP in 2019 were southern provinces. Only Shandong and Henan belong to the north.

A consistent attractiveness to talent will be acquired by comprehensive development in the region, which is in favor of employment and incomes for talents. The entire region and cities in it will finally benefit, the research institute said.