Due to the chaotic nature of the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan, the exact number of waishengren is unknown. Estimates vary regarding how many waishengren migrated, with most estimates ranging between 950,000 and 2 million, with 1.2 million being the most commonly cited figure in Taiwan.
As a result of the Kuomintang's disorganized escape to Taiwan, the exact number of waishengren is unknown. Various estimates suggest that between 950,000 and 2 million waishengren migrated, with 1.2 million being the most commonly cited figure in Taiwanese sources.