The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (October 16) the October 2017 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains three feature articles entitled "Hong Kong Population Projections for 2017 to 2066", "Hong Kong Labour Force Projections for 2017 to 2066" and "Hong Kong Domestic Household Projections up to 2051".

     With the availability of up-to-date benchmark population data from the 2016 Population By-census, the C&SD has prepared a new set of population projections covering the period from 2017 to 2066, with the mid-2016 population as the base. Based on this set of population projections, the labour force projections and domestic household projections have also been updated. The projection results were released on September 8, 2017. The following three feature articles provide a brief account of the method, assumptions and results of the projections.

"Hong Kong Population Projections for 2017 to 2066"

     According to the results of the baseline population projections, the Hong Kong Resident Population is projected to increase from 7.34 million in mid-2016 to a peak of 8.22 million in mid-2043, and then decline to 7.72 million in mid-2066. Population ageing is expected to continue. It will accelerate notably in the coming 20 years, and will be most rapid in the coming 10 years. Excluding foreign domestic helpers, the proportion of elderly persons aged 65 and over is projected to increase from 17% in 2016 to 31% in 2036, and further rise to 37% in 2066.

     Apart from analysing the baseline population projections, this feature article also presents the high and low population projections for reference.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Demographic Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel: 3903 6933; email: population@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Hong Kong Labour Force Projections for 2017 to 2066"

     The C&SD has compiled a new set of labour force projections covering the period 2017 to 2066. The projection results provide information on the projected labour supply in Hong Kong and its age and sex distribution during 2017 to 2066. In accordance with the projections, the total labour force (excluding foreign domestic helpers) will increase from 3.62 million in 2016 to reach a plateau in 2019 to 2022 at 3.67 million to 3.68 million, and then decrease to 3.51 million in 2031. It will then hover between 3.49 million and 3.51 million until 2038, before decreasing to 3.13 million in 2066. This feature article gives a brief account of the projection method and presents the projection results.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Social Analysis and Research Section, C&SD (Tel: 2887 5208; email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

"Hong Kong Domestic Household Projections up to 2051"

     The number of domestic households is projected to increase from 2.51 million in 2016 to a peak at 2.97 million in 2046, and then slowly decline to 2.95 million in 2051. The average household size is projected to decrease from 2.8 in 2016 to 2.7 in 2051, following the past declining trend.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Demographic Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel: 3903 6934; email: census@censtatd.gov.hk).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp140.jsp?productCode=B1010002).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Services Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, October 16, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00

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