Chengdu is a major megacity and one of the most populous urban centers in China, serving as the capital of Sichuan Province. As of 2024, it is recognized as one of the country's four cities with a resident population exceeding 20 million people, ranking alongside Chongqing, Shanghai, and Beijing. According to the 2020 census, the population was recorded at 20,937,757, with approximately 16.5 million residents living in urban areas and 4.4 million in rural districts. Recent estimates for 2025 place the permanent resident population at approximately 21.47 million, reflecting the city's significant role as the primary economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Western China.