The increase is entirely down to people moving here from rural areas because growth due to birth rate has stood at zero for the past five years, according to the study by Peking University's Institute of Population Research.

Beijing's current population stands at around 17 million, including some five million migrants, according to the government.

政府方面数据：当前人口约一千七百万，其中包括5百万外来人口。

The influx of migrants drawn by the capital's booming economy is set to continue, the report added, according to Xinhua news agency.