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Hong Kong population

Hong Kong population
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong population. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
People in Central. Ninety per cent of households will be exempt from the year-long population census in 2026. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to exempt 90% of households from ‘re-engineered’ 2026 census

Authorities will use a different method to track the city’s demographics in a major break from decades of statistical tradition.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Cash transfusion not a cure for Hong Kong couples’ reluctance to have children

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong parents need sustained support rather than one-off bonuses

Hong Kong society

Why number of babies born in Hong Kong could drop to near-record low in 2025

Number of registered births in the first seven months fell 8 per cent, suggesting full-year figure could be near 2022 low.

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The birth rate rose in 2024 due to couples advancing their plans for children because of the Year of the Dragon, an expert says. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong pledges HK$500 million yearly to support carers amid ageing population

High-risk household database and accident detection systems to be introduced.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hongkongers’ longevity a point of pride and opportunity for city

Hong Kong can be happy about its high levels of life expectancy, but it must ensure older residents’ lives are both enjoyable and productive.

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Hong Kong society

Why has Hong Kong women’s life expectancy hit record high? What about the men?

Higher level of engagement in society and a willingness to seek help among factors helping women live longer than men, experts say.

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The trend of women living longer than men is reflective of the global situation, a population expert says. Photo: Sun Yeung
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong schools cut fewer Primary One classes after ‘boost from talent scheme’

School profiles show there are 1,569 Primary One classes this year, 12 fewer than in 2024.

Hong Kong society

Life expectancy for Hong Kong women hits record, while men also get a lift

Life expectancy at birth for women in 2024 was 88.4 years and 82.8 years for men.

Hong Kong society

Not so happily ever after? Number of marriages in Hong Kong drops 7.4%

Number of Hongkongers who are divorced, widowed or separated also stood at 835,200 in 2024, a 5.2 per cent rise from year before.

The number of registered marriages in Hong Kong stood at 44,196 last year. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong must ensure it’s more than a revolving door for talent

While remaining open to immigrants, the city must continue to fine-tune its talent recruitment measures and address the brain drain.

Pedestrians cross a road in Central district on August 15. The Hong Kong population remains “virtually unchanged” for the first time in a decade, according to the Census and Statistics Department. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

Suicide leading cause of death among insured Hongkongers aged under 25: study

While cancer remains the leading cause of death across all demographics, suicide rates among under-25s have spiked since 2014.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s ‘virtually unchanged’ population stabilises for first time in decade

City’s midyear population stands at 7,527,500, up by 3,400 from a year ago.

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Hong Kong society

Should Hong Kong’s baby bonus scheme include talent to boost birth rate?

Lawmaker says some professionals have complained about being left out of bonus scheme.

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The one-off cash allowance of HK$20,000 has been distributed to 48,984 applicants as of the end of June. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Boosting suicide prevention must be part of Hong Kong’s recovery efforts

It’s not just young people and the elderly at risk, but also middle-aged men, many suffering economic hardship yet reluctant to ask for help.

Yapp Hung-fai (centre), captain of Hong Kong’s football team, and other guests kick off The Samaritans’ “Online Suicide Gatekeeping Course” at Cyberport in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, on May 17 to raise public awareness of student suicides. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to consider giving baby bonuses to talent scheme parents

Welfare minister Chris Sun says more than HK$900 million in such rewards have been given out to encourage childbearing since 2023.

Hong Kong society

Video | How Hong Kong became one of the world’s most unequal cities

Some Hongkongers cannot afford to pay for necessities, while others live on the streets despite being employed.

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Hong Kong society

Opinion | Silver economy far from enough for rapidly ageing Hong Kong

Promoting economic activities catering to the elderly is welcome, but more must be done to address the issues the elderly and their carers face.

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An elderly woman sits on a stool on the street in front of a fruit and vegetable seller in a market in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on December 26, 2024. Photo: Antony Dickson
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Get elderly housing right and Hong Kong’s silver economy can take off

To support the latest measures, the right infrastructure must be in place, starting from housing and community support.

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Education in Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong must think small when it comes to class sizes

Readers discuss coping with the drastic fall in student numbers, tapping technology to improve road conditions, and making public transport pet-friendly.

Ageing society

Opinion | Hong Kong is right to get out of way of women who do want children

The proposal to lift the 10-year cap on embryo storage must come with more measures to make it easier to both give birth and raise a family.

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A woman takes care with her newborn baby at Yaumatei Maternal and Child Health Centre in Yau Ma Tei on February 18. Photo: Sam Tsang
Education in Hong Kong

2 Hong Kong schools won’t run subsidised Primary One classes in 2025-26

Aplichau Kaifong Primary School and Price Memorial Catholic Primary School not allocated any Primary One classes for next academic year.

Aplichau Kaifong Primary School, one of the affected schools. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong budget 2025-26

Opinion | Hong Kong seniors are an economic force, not a budget write-off

Investing in their well-being and engagement could transform this demographic into a driving force for Hong Kong’s economy.

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Ageing society

Opinion | Is Hong Kong’s population stabilising? No, but there’s room to grow

As the city’s natural population growth rate decreases, we can still ensure that enough local and foreign talent call Hong Kong home.

Banking & finance

Banks, insurers rush for gold in Hong Kong’s ‘silver-hair economy’

Residents older than 65 years made up about 22 per cent of Hong Kong’s population of 7.5 million people in 2023, according to government data.

Elderly residents in a stretching group exercise on November 15, 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Rest and recovery will help Hong Kong compete at top level again

Readers discuss misplaced pessimism over the city’s difficulties, the challenge of an ageing labour force, faith in our economic fundamentals, and equal marriage rights.

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A Star Ferry sails along Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on November 26. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Expecting IVF to solve Hong Kong’s population problems is misguided

While IVF can be an important tool for infertile couples, it cannot take the place of broad social and financial support for hopeful parents.

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Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong needs credible fertility policies, not baby photos in offices

A lawmaker’s suggestion that government offices put up photos of babies has gained attention, but there are weightier matters that warrant discussion.

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