Spark Deep Dive: Elderly poverty rising in Hong Kong, increasing wealth inequality

The level was higher than the 19.5 per cent recorded last year and the pre-pandemic figure of 18.3 per cent in 2019.

The charity said Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population and increasing number of financially struggling elderly residents have contributed to the city’s worsening wealth inequality.

The organisation urged authorities to step up its targeted poverty relief efforts and help older residents return to the workforce.

“The population ageing and elderly poverty have become more serious, especially those households with elderly people living alone or only with their spouses,” said Kalina Tsang Ka-wai, director general of Oxfam Hong Kong.

The report found more than 580,000 Hongkongers aged 65 and above live under the poverty line. This is a 42.9 per cent increase from 2019.

In addition, the number of poor households comprising elderly people living alone rose 47.2 per cent from 2019. The number sat at 131,700 during the first three months of this year.

Meanwhile, the wealthiest 10 per cent of households earned a median monthly income of HK$131,100 over the same period, up 9.3 per cent from 2019.

Terry Leung Ming-fung, Oxfam Hong Kong’s research and advocacy manager, said the labour force participation rate among the elderly stood at 13.9 per cent. The rate is lower than mainland China’s 25 per cent and Norway’s 22 per cent.

Leung said many older residents survived on government welfare allowances and didn’t have enough financial support, leading to their worsening circumstances. He urged the city to learn from places such as Japan to create a better working environment to suit older workers’ health conditions and offer them flexible job times and arrangements.

Meanwhile, Tsang said authorities could offer employment help and create more job opportunities in the public sector that required less physical labour.

1. Which of the following statements about the city’s wealth gap is true?
(1) Hong Kong’s poorest residents earn 81.9 times less than its richest ones.
(2) More than 580,000 people aged 65 and above are living under the poverty line.
(3) The median monthly income of the city’s wealthiest has risen.
(4) The level of income disparity during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 was higher than this year.

A. (1), (2) only
B. (1), (2), (3) only
C. (1), (2), (4) only
D. all of the above

2. List TWO reasons why the city’s wealth gap has worsened, according to Oxfam Hong Kong.

3. According to Tsang and Leung, how could authorities support the city’s ageing residents? To what extent do you believe these measures can effectively protect the elderly from poverty?

1. What is the person in the picture doing? How does this relate to the information presented in the news?

2. What other problems do Hong Kong’s senior citizens face besides a lack of job opportunities? Explain using the news and your own knowledge.

wealth inequality: the unequal distribution of assets and resources among individuals or groups in a society.

poverty line: the smallest amount of money a person or a family needs to live on. Oxfam Hong Kong set the poverty line at half the median household income in a recent survey.

government welfare allowances: programmes such as the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) under the Social Security Allowance Scheme, which gives money to Hongkongers aged 65 or above in need of financial support.

1. B

2. Oxfam Hong Kong attributed the worsening wealth inequality to the city’s rapidly ageing population and increasing number of financially struggling elderly residents.

3. Tsang urged authorities to offer the elderly employment assistance and create more job opportunities in the public sector that required less physical labour. Meanwhile, Leung suggested the government follow the lead of places like Japan and create better working environments for seniors. I think these measures could be useful. Many elderly people may not be working because it is too physically demanding, but if they can find a job that is more appropriate for their abilities, they may appreciate having the chance to work and earn money. (accept all reasonable answers)

1. The elderly person is collecting used cardboard on the street, which is a common practice among elderly Hongkongers to earn extra income and as a means to make ends meet. This reflects the information about how older residents struggle financially.

2. Many elderly Hongkongers live below the poverty line and live alone or only with their spouse. This is concerning, as it means they may not get the help or care they need. (accept all reasonable answers)