During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25) period, Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, has made significant progress in economic and social development, as highlighted in a press conference on Nov 18.

In 2024, Jinan's GDP reached 1.35 trillion yuan ($190 billion), growing at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent. Per capita GDP rose to 142,800 yuan, while labor productivity achieved 28,300 yuan.

The city has met its projected goals for the first four years of the plan. Energy efficiency, cultivated land, grain production, labor productivity, and new urban employment exceeded targets, while air quality and childcare provision progressed as expected. Key tasks and major projects outlined in the plan have also advanced.

With innovation as a key growth driver, Jinan's R&D investment reached 40.52 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for 3 percent of its GDP. It hosts 20 national key laboratories, three provincial-level labs, and 126 provincial-level key labs and has 74 valid invention patents per 10,000 people.

Technological breakthroughs include quantum communication, advanced aerospace testing, and high-speed experimental platforms, alongside notable progress in biomedicine and gene editing.

The city has optimized its modern industrial system, upgrading traditional industries while accelerating emerging sectors. From 2021 to 2024, high-tech manufacturing above a designated size grew at an average annual rate of 12.1 percent in added value, and industrial revenue of enterprises above a designated size surpassed one trillion yuan.

Thirteen key industrial clusters, including integrated circuits and electronic information, have developed rapidly. Digital transformation has accelerated, and in 2024, Jinan ranked seventh nationwide in intelligent computing capacity. The modern service sector accounted for 61.4 percent of total service value added, with revenue from large-scale service enterprises ranking first in Shandong.

Regional coordination and ecological protection along the Yellow River have advanced, accompanied by industrial upgrading and accelerated urban integration supported by improved transportation infrastructure and intercity connectivity.

Jinan's urban-rural development has become more balanced. In 2024, the urbanization rate reached 76.24 percent. Rural vitalization advanced with agricultural output hitting 81.43 billion yuan and grain production totaling 3.06 million metric tons. During the period, around 792 million square meters of high-quality farmland and 410 provincial model villages have been established.

A city view of Jinan, capital of Shandong province. [Photo/VCG]