According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (August 15), the provisional estimate of the Hong Kong population was 7 498 100 at mid-2023, representing an increase of 152 000 or 2.1% from 7 346 100 at mid-2022.
 
     The population increase between mid-2022 and mid-2023 was mainly attributable to a net inflow of 174 000 Hong Kong residents (i.e. inflow less outflow) recorded during the period, with an inflow of 31 000 One-way Permit holders and a net inflow of 143 000 other Hong Kong residents. Over the same period, a natural decrease (i.e. deaths surpassing births) of 22 000 was recorded, with 32 600 births and 54 600 deaths. 
 
     Among the total population at mid-2023, 7 249 300 were Usual Residents and 248 700 were Mobile Residents. The revised figure for the year-end population for 2022 was 7 472 600. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 7 223 600 and the number of Mobile Residents to 249 000. The rate of change in population from end-2021 to end-2022 was also revised to +1.0%.
 
     Table 1 presents estimated total population as at mid-2023, while Table 2 presents population figures from mid-2012 to mid-2023. 
 
Commentary
   
     A government spokesperson pointed out that with the gradual relaxation of anti-epidemic control measures since the second half of 2022, normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland and other parts of the world has been progressively resumed. Many Hong Kong residents who stayed abroad during the epidemic have returned to Hong Kong, while some Mainland and overseas persons have also been admitted to Hong Kong through various schemes. A large net inflow of Hong Kong residents was hence recorded in the first half of 2023.
 
Further information
    
     "Usual Residents" refer to two categories of people: (1) Hong Kong Permanent Residents who have stayed in Hong Kong for at least three months during the six months before or for at least three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong or not at the reference time-point; and (2) Hong Kong Non-permanent Residents who are in Hong Kong at the reference time-point.
 
     For those Hong Kong Permanent Residents who are not "Usual Residents", they are classified as "Mobile Residents" if they have stayed in Hong Kong for at least one month but less than three months during the six months before or for at least one month but less than three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong or not at the reference time-point.
 
     Under the current practice, the latest population estimate is released on a provisional basis in each round. The revised estimate will be released six months later. In other words, while the provisional population estimate for mid-2023 is released today, the corresponding revised estimate will be released in February 2024.

Ends/Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:30

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