Shenzhen started to receive immigrants at the end of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1179). when Shenzhen City was established, there were only 31.41 natives, most of them Hakkas.

By the end of 2001, permanent resident population in Shenzhen totaled 4.67 million, including some 2.558 million living within the Special Economic Zone, average age was less than 30. the 'New Immigrants' are from throughout the country and account for 90 percent of Shenzhen's population.