Fewer Hongkongers plan to emigrate than in 2021, HKU survey finds

Fewer Hongkongers are planning to emigrate in the next two years compared with 2021, a trend that may be linked to changes in the city’s environment, according to a survey by the Research Hub of the Population Research Centre at the University of Hong Kong.

The findings, released on Wednesday, show that about 5.67 percent of respondents said they “possibly” or “very possibly” plan to emigrate.

Among those expressing an intention to leave, the proportion without a foreign passport fell from 9.8 percent in 2021 to 4.06 percent, while the share holding a foreign passport declined from 15.5 percent to 9.89 percent.

The survey, conducted between September 2024 and March 2025 with 4,051 valid samples, examined Hong Kong residents’ attitudes and behaviors across social, economic, political, and cultural areas.

Eric Fong Wai-ching, director of the HKU Population Research Centre, said the specific reasons behind the declining desire to emigrate have yet to be fully explored, but suggested the trend may be influenced by more people viewing emigration as “not a wise move” amid changes in the city.

Economic issues remain a major concern. High property prices topped the list, cited by 12.76 percent of respondents, followed by inflation at 11.97 percent and persistent poverty at 8.8 percent.

Reflecting these pressures, younger respondents reported a lower desire to have children.

The ideal number of children among those aged 30 to 60 ranged from 1.39 to 1.44, higher than the ideal number of 1.1 to 1.19 reported by young people aged 18 to 29.

Kenny Shui Chi-wai, vice president of Our Hong Kong Foundation and executive director of its Public Policy Institute, said the continued low birth rate will affect Hong Kong’s labor supply.

He said economic factors are a key reason young people hesitate to have children, and suggested that all sectors should work to create more parent-friendly and caregiver-friendly workplaces to encourage childbirth.