HK's population sees marginal decrease

Hong Kong's provisional population stood at 7,531,800 as of mid-2024, representing a 0.1 percent decrease compared to mid-2023, according to the latest figure announced by the Census And Statistics Department.

However, the figure represents an increase of 0.1 percent compared to the end of 2023.

A natural decrease of 18,100 was recorded from mid-2023 to mid-2024, with 34,400 births and 52,400 deaths. This was offset by a net increase of 13,800 Hong Kong residents, including 44,000 one-way permit holders moving in, and 30,200 residents moving out.

A government spokesman said the measures on talent attraction and labor importation attributed to the sizable inflow of persons from the mainland and other places worldwide.

At the same time, the significant population spike observed between mid-2022 and mid-2023 could be due to many Hong Kong residents living overseas temporarily returning to the city after the full border reopening in early 2023, he noted.

This trend started to subside later in 2023, leading to lower population figures at the end of 2023 and mid-2024 compared to the population high in mid-2023.