Beijing's population reached 21.52 million at the end of 2014, with 57.1 percent living between the 3rd and 6th ring roads, and most of them outside the 5th ring road. (Graphics by Beijing Evening News)

 Beijing's population reached 21.52 million at the end of 2014, with 57.1 percent living between the 3rd and 6th ring roads, and most of them outside the 5th ring road, according to statistics released Thursday by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics.

Beijing's population has been increasing, but at a slower rate, due to economic restructuring and functional changes, as well as a rising cost of living and transportation.

Compared to the numbers in 2013, Beijing's population increased by 368,000, which was 87,000 less than the year before. The growth rate decreased from 2.2 percent in 2013 to 1.7 percent in 2014.

Beijing had about 8.19 million migrant residents from all over the country at the end of 2014. While this was an increase of 160,000 (2 percent), the rise was 129,000 (1.7 percent) lower compared to 2013.

Migrant residents tend to live in areas further away from Beijing's central area.

Some 46 percent of Beijing's population reside in three districts, namely Chaoyang, Haidian and Fengtai, while 52.6 percent of the city's migrant population live in the Chaoyang, Haidian and Changping districts.

Beijing's population density was 1,311 people per square kilometer in 2014, an increase of 81 people per square kilometer from 2011.