Hong Kong's population to reach 8.2m in 2046

Hong Kong's population is expected to grow to 8.19 million by mid-2046 from the current 7.51 million, according to government estimates released on Tuesday.

The Census and Statistics Department’s new set of population projections showed that the net population inflow over the entire projection period is 1.52 million, including 0.89 million One-way Permit holders and 0.24 million foreign domestic helpers.

It also noted that the working population could increase to a peak of 3.66 million in 2038, and then gradually decline to 3.58 million by 2046.

Commenting on the findings, the department’s Assistant Commissioner James Cheng Lap-yan said a number of talent and labor importation schemes launched by the government in recent years provided important momentum for population growth over the next two decades. 

He also predicted that the education level of individuals aged 65 and above will be higher in the future, leading to an increase in the proportion of the city’s labor force.

In the next 10 years, the overall labor force will remain stable, he added.