Key Findings
1. Top ten cities with the largest number of digital talent are Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Xi'an.
2. Digital talent can be classified into six categories according to the different functions of value chain process: Digital strategic management, deep analysis, product R&D, advanced manufacturing, digital operation and digital marketing. More than 85% of digital talent in China is distributed in product R&D. The talent in the functions of deep analysis, advanced manufacturing, digital marketing, etc. is mounted to less than 5%.
3. Approximately 50% of digital talent is distributed in ICT basic industries such as Internet, information and communication, etc. Traditional industries are mainly distributed in three main sectors: manufacturing, finance and consumer goods.
4. The professional background of digital talent mainly covers such technical disciplines as computer science, software engineering, electric and electronic engineering, etc. Business administration discipline has also become one of the main sources of digital talent.
5. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou are the "Leading" cities that promote the digital transformation of China's economy. Beijing and Hangzhou have remarkable talent advantages in big data analysis field. Shanghai and Guangzhou are more advantageous in advanced manufacturing and digital operation. The talent structure in Shenzhen is relatively balanced and it advances side by side in all functional fields.
6. Chengdu, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan and Xi'an are the "fast-growing" cities in the course of digital transformation. Digital talent is shifting from ICT basic industry to convergence industry. Some cities like Suzhou have accumulated outstanding advantages in digital talent in manufacturing.
7. As for the demand for digital talent, the position with the highest demand is still represented by product R&D and operation. Skill requirement does not emphasize on the pure programming ability, but on the comprehensive quality in technology, management and leadership.
8. The flow of digital talent shows the trend of gathering towards first-tier cities. Except for Guangzhou, several first-tier cities demonstrate the trend of net inflow. Hangzhou and Suzhou have become few cities with net inflow of digital talent.
