HK losing its young at alarming rate

Hong Kong is experiencing an alarming drop in the young population as it lost over 16,000 people aged between 15 and 34 within six months, according to the latest Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics by the Census and Statistics Department.

The department said the general population in the SAR is expected to grow and reach 8.19 million by mid-2046. But the young population has dropped from the end of last year to mid-2023.

The age group of 25 to 29 recorded the most significant reduction of 8,200 from 438,900 last year to 430,700 this year.

The 15 to 19 and 30 to 34 age groups have also seen a drop of 5,000 and 3,500, respectively. But the population of people aged 20 to 24 recorded a small increase of 500 people.

Meanwhile, population aging is expected to continue, with the proportion of elderly people aged 65 and above increasing from 20.5 percent in 2021 to 36 percent by 2046, the department said.

It also said the total labor force of the SAR will increase from 3.54 million in 2021 to a peak of 3.66 million in 2038, but could decrease gradually to 3.58 million by 2046.

The SAR will see more female and labor workers in the future, the department said, as the proportion of female workers will increase from 45.8 percent in 2021 to 46.3 percent by 2046. The proportion of elder workers will rise from 4.9 percent to eight percent during the same period.

Director of Watson Consultancy Suen Lap-man told The Standard yesterday that many young Hongkongers aged between 15 and 34 might have decided to study or work overseas or emigrated to other countries, causing a drop in that age group.

Many youngsters left Hong Kong as they were disappointed at the SAR's future after the 2019 social unrest and the implementation of the national security law, Suen said.

Although the administration said Hong Kong has restored stability and normality, many youngsters do not feel that way as they feel the freedom of speech has been undermined, he added.

Suen said that although the administration did not ease concerns, the authorities are targeting the younger generation to cultivate patriotism.

"It is difficult for the government to change young Hongkongers minds as many of them have a negative feeling towards the government," he said.

"The government is now working on educating primary school students by increasing their exchange opportunities with the mainland and enhancing patriotism."

Suen explained that the slight increase in the population of people aged 20 to 24 was attributed to the rise of mainland students in Hong Kong.

"The drop in the young population of the city has a profound impact on the city's labor force, and the government has to import talent from various sectors," he said.

The estimated increase in the labor force may not be enough unless the SAR completes its industrial transformation and relies on technology and scientific development, which does not require a huge work force, Suen said.