Recently, the highly anticipated list of "New First-Tier Cities" was released again, sparking widespread discussion across society. This list, published by a research institute under Yicai Media Group, although not officially recognized, is considered a valuable reference for young people's career choices and urban development directions due to its assessment of urban commercial vitality and talent attraction. What are the highlights and controversies of this year's list? And how should we view it rationally?
Chengdu "Unshakably" First, a Reshuffle of New First-Tier Cities?
The list shows that the New First-Tier Cities for 2025 are, in order: Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Suzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Hefei, Qingdao, Dongguan, Ningbo, and Foshan. Chengdu's continued reign at the top has sparked considerable debate about the evaluation criteria. Some believe that Chengdu's urban vitality and commercial atmosphere are undeniable, but others question whether its "benchmark" status is too fixed and lacks objective, dynamic evaluation.
Compared to previous years, this year's list also features some changes. The most notable is the return of Foshan to the ranks of New First-Tier Cities, while Wuxi has fallen off the list. This shift has prompted reflection on urban development models and industrial structures.
The Urban Charm Assessment System Behind "New First-Tier"
This list is not simply based on economic indicators such as GDP as the sole criterion, but rather constructs an assessment system containing multiple dimensions. In 2024, the evaluation dimensions of the list include:
- Concentration of Commercial Resources
- City Hub Function
- Urban Population Activity
- New Economy Competitiveness
- Future Potential
In 2025, although the categories remain unchanged, the weights have been adjusted. The weight of Concentration of Commercial Resources increased from 0.19 to 0.23, the weight of City Hub Function decreased from 0.2 to 0.17, the weight of Urban Population Activity remained unchanged at 0.22, the weight of New Economy Competitiveness increased from 0.2 to 0.22, and the weight of Future Potential decreased from 0.19 to 0.16.
It can be seen that New Economy Competitiveness and Concentration of Commercial Resources occupy a more important position in this year's assessment. This adjustment also reflects the new trend of urban development, which focuses more on innovation capabilities and industrial upgrading.
View "New First-Tier" Rationally, Don't Blindly Follow the List
It is important to emphasize that the national government has never had a standard for dividing cities into "first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier." Terms like "New First-Tier," "Quasi First-Tier," and "Strong Second-Tier" are more of a popular concept, a classification made by market institutions based on their own evaluation systems.
Therefore, we should view various city lists rationally and not blindly follow them. The list can be used as a reference, but it should not be the sole basis for decision-making. Each city has its own unique advantages and development potential. Choosing where to develop should be based on a comprehensive consideration of one's own career plan, living needs, and other factors.
Is the Real Estate Market in New First-Tier Cities Not a "Guaranteed Profit"?
Many people are concerned about the real estate market in New First-Tier cities. It is important to clarify that real estate in New First-Tier cities is not always a "guaranteed profit." The trend of the real estate market is affected by various factors, including policy regulation, economic environment, and population flow. Investors need to remain rational, carefully assess risks, and avoid blindly following the trend. Especially in the current market environment, a clear understanding of the real estate market is essential.
List Data Analysis
| City | Charm Index |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 158.15 |
| Beijing | 157.41 |
| Shenzhen | 126.13 |
| Guangzhou | 122.99 |
| Chengdu | 100 |
| Hangzhou | 94.84 |
| Chongqing | 85.07 |
| Wuhan | 79.79 |
| Suzhou | 79.37 |
| Xi'an | 70.90 |
| Nanjing | 70.49 |
| Changsha | 67.49 |
| Zhengzhou | 62.84 |
| Tianjin | 57.74 |
| Hefei | 57.28 |
| Qingdao | 56.81 |
| Dongguan | 54.57 |
| Ningbo | 50.78 |
| Foshan | 47.42 |
The following table shows the ranking of New First-Tier cities in different dimensions:
| City | Concentration of Commercial Resources | City Hub Function | Urban Population Activity | New Economy Competitiveness | Future Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 100 | 100 | 100 | 80.46 | 100 |
| Hangzhou | 97.99 | 79.88 | 86.47 | 90.79 | 96.75 |
| Chongqing | 83.63 | 86.06 | 91.53 | 67.47 | 83.11 |
| Wuhan | 75.13 | 86.92 | 85.62 | 66.12 | 84.54 |
| Suzhou | 79.83 | 72.51 | 77.66 | 100 | 77.1 |
| Xi'an | 67.31 | 83.91 | 75.56 | 61.72 | 74.83 |
| Nanjing | 75.37 | 66.45 | 77.44 | 72.17 | 74.66 |
| Changsha | 62.44 | 73.41 | 80.52 | 62.61 | 72.63 |
| Zhengzhou | 59.54 | 76.42 | 66.94 | 53.49 | 67.46 |
| Tianjin | 70.44 | 63.86 | 56.99 | 48.93 | 64.34 |
| Hefei | 54.22 | 53.05 | 60.67 | 65.26 | 64.38 |
| Qingdao | 59.11 | 60.19 | 57.52 | 53.24 | 60.66 |
| Dongguan | 52.48 | 57.89 | 58.05 | 55.75 | 55.84 |
| Ningbo | 51.65 | 51.17 | 54.17 | 60.34 | 52.06 |
| Foshan | 47.47 | 43.91 | 51.97 | 49.36 | 50.04 |
Wuxi's "Fall Off" Sparks Controversy, Foshan Returns to New First-Tier
In this year's list, Wuxi's "fall off" has caused widespread controversy. As a strong economic city in China, Wuxi's total GDP ranks among the top in the country, and its per capita GDP has long been in the lead. However, the list's evaluation system focuses more on indicators such as "New Economy Competitiveness," which may be one of the reasons why Wuxi "fell off" the list.
It is worth noting that Foshan has returned to the ranks of New First-Tier cities. As a manufacturing powerhouse, Foshan has a solid industrial base. However, against the backdrop of economic transformation and upgrading, Foshan is also facing new challenges. Whether Foshan can maintain its advantages in the new round of urban competition remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The release of the "New First-Tier City" list has sparked our reflection on urban development and personal choices. The list can be used as a reference, but more importantly, we should view it rationally and make the most suitable choice for ourselves based on our own circumstances. No matter which city you choose, you need to be down-to-earth and work hard to realize your dreams. At the same time, it is hoped that each city can capitalize on its strengths and avoid its weaknesses, continuously improve its overall competitiveness, and provide people with better development opportunities and living environment.