Based on county-level National Demographic Census data in 2000 and 2010

the spatial auto-correlation analysis was applied to specify the spatial distribution patterns of talents in the Pearl River Delta. Multiple regression was used to analyze the main factors behind the spatial distribution patterns. Two kinds of talents were specially focused: creative talents in terms of the occupational skill and highly educated talents in terms of the educational attainment. The results indicate that: (1) There has witnessed the significant concentration among both of creative talents and highly educated talents

while the concentration trend decreased gradually. On the countylevel unit scale

talents are concentrated at Yuexiu District

Haizhu District

Tianhe District

Bao'an District

Nanshan District

Futian District

Shunde District

etc; less talents stay in counties of the east and west Pearl River Delta. (2) The distribution of both of creative talents and highly educated talents has been influenced by economic factors (e.g.

regional economic development

wage level and urbanization level) and amenity (e.g.real estate

education). However

there are differences in the factors affecting the spatial distribution of talents. Education and tolerance had an impact on the distribution of highly educated talents

while finance had a significant positive impact on spatial distribution of creative talents.