More than 1.23 million people - one in six of Hong Kong's population - are living in poverty and the widening wealth gap could lead to instability, the Hong Kong Council of Social Services warned yesterday.Citing data from the General Household Survey of the Census and Statistics Department, the council said 17.9 percent of the population was living on income below the median level at the beginning of September, up from 17.6 percent last year.
It said other troubling figures included a record number of 8,600 youths, or 2.5 percent, aged between 15 and 24 who were unemployed, or three times more than the same time last year.
The council said the number of youngsters living in poverty rose from 15.4 percent, or 144,000 people, in 2008 to a peak of 20 percent, or 176,000 people, in the first quarter of 2009.
The median income is HK$3,300 for a one-person family; HK$6,750 for two; HK$9,150 for three; and HK$12,650 for four. "Poverty" is defined as those earning less than the median.
The council's business director (Policy Research and Advocacy) Chua Hoi-wai said because of the job situation, more youngsters prefer to continue their studies instead of going to work.
However, in many cases, their parents were also facing difficult financial situations.
"Young people are facing a heavy financial burden, particularly those who take out government loans to continue their studies. This causes a high poverty rate among the young people," he said.
Chua said the poverty rate for those aged between 45 and 64 was 17 percent, or 343,000 people - the highest number since 1999 when it numbered 230,000 people, or 16.7 percent.
The council said it was obvious the economic recovery was not benefiting those at the bottom end of the salary scale and that the widening gap between the rich-and-poor could pose a challenge to the government.
"The morale of Hong Kong people is generally low because of the high poverty rate. This may cause instability in society," Chua said.
The council's chief executive Christine Fang Meng-sang suggested Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announce short- term employment opportunities in his upcoming policy address.
She hoped the government would grant an additional HK$600 million to all social service units so as to provide more jobs, as well as pushing forward small-scale projects.
