History
Population
As is shown by the data of the sixth national census (2010), the permanent population of Tianjin has increased remarkably, especially the immigrant population; meanwhile, the growth rate of the natural population has remained at a relatively low level.
At the end of 2014, the city’s resident population was 15 168 100, an increase of 446 000 over the previous year; with immigrant population 4 761 800, an increase of 352 700, accounting for 79.1% of the resident population increment. The natural population growth rate was 2.14‰. The city’s population growth was mainly due to the increase in the immigrant population.
In 2014, Tianjin’s urbanization rate reached 82.28%, with urban population of 12 480 400 and rural population of 2 687 700.
The education of the citizens in Tianjin was improved comprehensively. According to the data of the sixth national census, of the permanent population in Tianjin, 17.48% have received junior college education or above, 8.5% higher than in 2000. The enrollment rate for the nine-year compulsory education remained above 99.9%. The average time of education has reached 10.45 years, 1.5 years higher than 8.95 years in 2000.
According to the data of the sixth national census, the number of settlers from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad has reached 22 800. Of these settlers, 32.21% came to study; 27.44% for employment; 12.64% for business. As for the geographical distribution, 49.22% live in Nankai District, 17.94% in Hexi District, and 9.61% in Binhai New Area District.
Nationality
Tianjin is an open coastal city where different ethnic groups live in harmony with each other. The settlement of ethnic minorities in Tianjin started in Yuan Dynasty, flourishing in Ming and Qing Dynasties. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, especially since the reform and opening up, with the economic and social development of Tianjin, more and more ethnic minorities have come to Tianjin for business, education, or employment. According to the data of the sixth national census in 2010, There are 53 ethnic minorities in Tianjin, with permanent population of 329 700, an increase of 62 800 over 2000, up 23.53%. Among them, the Hui population (177 700) is the largest, accounting for 54% of the total population of ethnic minority in Tianjin. Other ethnic minorities with population above 10 000 are: Manchurians (83 600), Mongolians (20 300), and Koreans (18 200).
People of ethnic minorities in Tianjin have gathered in settlements which are scattered in different counties and districts. People of the Hui nationality mainly live in some areas in Xibeijiao in Hongqiao District, Yuchang and Jinjiayao in Hebei District, Tianmu in Beichen District, Yangcun and Hexiwu in Wuqing District, Yaoliuqiao in Dongli District, and Gegu in Jinnan District. People of Manchu nationality live in Jixian County, Heping District, Hexi District, etc. People of Zhuang nationality mainly live in Wuqing District and Ninghe County. There is 1 ethnic township in Tianjin: Sun’gezhuang Manchu Township in Jixian County; there are 53 ethnic villages, including 33 Hui villages and 20 Manchu villages.
Religion
Tianjin is an open and inclusive city. In modern history, Chinese and western civilizations, and various religious cultures have all melted together here. After the founding of new China, Tianjin has adhered to the basic principles of freedom of religious belief and management of religious affairs in accordance with the law. It has guided religions to adapt to the socialist society, actively supported the patriotic religious organizations to strengthen themselves. The residents of the city mainly believe in Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Christianity. There are 570 000 religious believers and about 300 professional religious workers in Tianjin.
Since the reform and opening up, Tianjin has restored and opened 107 sites for religious activities, most famous of which are Dabei Temple, Jianfu Guanyin Temple, Tianjin Mosque, Jinjiayao Mosque, Tianmu Mosque, Sanyizhuang Mosque, Xikai Church, Wanghailou Church, Shanxi Road Church, and Cangmenkou Church. There are 8 religious groups in Tianjin: Tianjin Buddhist Association (founded in 1954), Tianjin Islamic Association (founded in 1981), Tianjin Catholic Patriotic Association (founded in 1951), the Catholic Diocese Affairs Committee of Tianjin (founded in 1980), the Christian Three-self Patriotic Movement Committee of Tianjin (founded in 1953), Tianjin Christian Council (founded in 1981), Tianjin YMCA (founded in 1895) and Tianjin YWCA (founded in 1913).
Tianjin Population and Family Service Center
Tianjin Population and Family Service Center is located at 6 Xianyang Road, Hongqiao District, Tianjin. Established with investment from the municipal government, the center provides public services to all the Tianjin citizens and families. The center consists of a whole-process life service system and a support system of population development, with services ranging from children’s development, adolescent health and reproductive health, to the elderly health and population information management, etc.
Tianjin International Aging Village
Tianjin International Aging Village is located at the junction of Youyi Road and Tanjiang Road in Tianjin Meijiang Ecological Residential District. It is a high-level demonstrative international community for the aged which provides the aged people with such services as health care, rest, learning, and entertainment. The village is a social welfare facility, not for profit purposes. The fund is obtained through fund raising, assistance and a variety of business operations under the guidance of the government.
More than 300 centenarians are living in Tianjin, ?and the oldest person in Tianjin is 108 years old.
In 2014, there are more than 300 centenarians in Tianjin, including 84 males and 227 females, the oldest being 108 years old.
Tianjin Nationality High School
Located at 87 Xiqing Road, Hongqiao Dist., the school was founded in 1954. It is among the first key middle schools at the municipal level, and it is also a state-level demonstration school with the characteristics of nationality education. With its characteristics of harmonious education for different ethnic groups, the school pays attention to international education exchanges and has established friendship relationships with middle schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, ROK and other countries.
Guanyin Hall of Dule Temple – the oldest wooden structure building preserved till today in China
Guanyin Hall of Dule Temple was built in Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in 984. It is a national cultural relic under key protection. The three-storey building is 23 meters high. In the main structure, 24 kinds of dougong mortise were employed, and not a single nail was used. The 11 Guanyin statues in the temple, with total height of 16.08 meters, make the largest group of colored clay sculptures in standing position preserved today in China.
Tianjin Synagogue— the largest synagogue in China
Tianjin Synagogue is located at the junction of Nanjing Road and Zhengzhou Road in Heping District. It is the largest synagogue in China preserved till today.
After Tianjin became a trading port in modern history, it gradually developed into the third largest settlement area for the Jews in China. In September 1940, the Sanhedrin established a synagogue in Tianjin, which became a center for Jewish activities in Tianjin in the early 20th century. In 2009, Tianjin Synagogue was renovated, and now it is a historic building under special protection in Tianjin.
Master Hong Yi (Li Shutong)
Master Hong Yi, formerly known as Li Shutong (1880-1942), was born in Tianjin. He is a pioneer to introduce western music and fine art to China, and has outstanding artistic attainments. In 1918, he became a monk in Hupao Temple in Hangzhou, with the Buddhist name Hong Yi and Dharma name Yan Yin. As an outstanding monk in modern history of Buddhism in China, he is famous as the 11th generation master of Nanshan Vinaya School both at home and abroad.
Xikai Church
Xikai Church, also known as French Church, was designed and constructed by a French architect in August 1913, and was put into use in 1917. It is the major church in the Diocese of Tianjin. Xikai Church is now the largest catholic church in Tianjin.
