April 2012 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics is now available
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     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (April 19) the April 2012 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics (HKMDS).

     In this issue, four feature articles entitled "Trends in Population and Domestic Households in Hong Kong", "The Financial Services Sector in Hong Kong", "Analysis of Hong Kong's Imports of Goods" and "The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong, 2005 to 2010" are included.

"Trends in Population and Domestic Households in Hong Kong"

     Over the past half-century, the population and number of domestic households in Hong Kong continued to grow.  There were various demographic and socio-economic factors affecting the growth rates during different periods of time.  By making use of the data collected in the past population censuses and by-censuses, this feature article presents an overview of the trends in population and domestic households in Hong Kong in the past five decades.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the 2011 Population Census Office, C&SD (Tel.: 2716 8025).

"The Financial Services Sector in Hong Kong"

     Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant international financial centres in the world.  The contribution of the financial services sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from some 12% in 2000 to some 15% in 2010.  Although the business of the financial services sector was adversely affected by financial tsunami in 2008 and 2009, it saw a noticeable revival amid the strong upturn in the economy in 2010.  However, the growth of the sector moderated gradually in the second half of 2011 as affected by the escalating European debt problems.  This feature article presents the operating characteristics and business performance of selected industries in the sector between 2008 and 2010.  It also briefly highlights the overall quarterly business performance of selected industries in the sector in 2011.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Business Services Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2802 1269).

"Analysis of Hong Kong's Imports of Goods"

     Hong Kong is an externally oriented economy.  In 2011, the value of Hong Kong's total exports of goods amounted to $3,337.3 billion, while that of imports of goods was $3,764.6 billion.  The ratio of the value of total exports of goods to Hong Kong's GDP was 1.76, while that of the value of imports of goods to GDP was 1.99.

     Goods consumed locally in Hong Kong are mostly imported.  Meanwhile, a large proportion of Hong Kong's imports of goods, apart from being consumed locally, is for subsequent re-exportation.  This feature article analyses performance of Hong Kong's imports of goods in recent years.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Trade Analysis Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4914).

"The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong, 2005 to 2010"

     The cultural and creative industries (CCI) is one of the Six Industries earmarked by the Task Force on Economic Challenges as economic areas where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages for further development.  The CCI is one of the most dynamic sectors, contributing to economic growth and job creation as well as nurturing cultural diversity and innovation in Hong Kong.  This feature article introduces the statistical framework of CCI and highlights the latest performance and economic contribution of CCI in Hong Kong.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2805 6424).

     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; business performance; housing and property; transport, communications and tourism; public accounts, money and finance; national income and Balance of Payments; prices; and energy.  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 C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/general_statistical_digest/index_cd_B1010002_dt_detail.jsp).

     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the General Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4738).

Ends/Thursday, April 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00

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