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FA1 Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics April 2012

Trends in Population and Domestic Households in Hong Kong

50Over 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 censusesand by-censuses, this feature article presents an overview of the trends in

population and domestic households in Hong Kong in the past five decades.

2716 [email protected] you have any enquiries on this article, please contact the 2011 Population CensusOffice, Census and Statistics Department

(Tel. : 2716 8025; e-mail : [email protected]).


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Trends in Population and Domestic Households in Hong Kong

1. 1. Introduction1.1

1.1 It is an established practice from 1961 forHong Kong to conduct a population census onceevery 10 years and a by-census in the middle of theintercensal period. The summary results of thelatest round of the population census (i.e. the 2011Population Census) were released in February 2012.

1.2 50

1.2 Over the past half-century, the population andnumber of domestic households in Hong Kong

continued to grow. There were variousdemographic and socio-economic factors affectingthe growth rates during different periods of time.By making use of the data collected in the pastpopulation censuses and by-censuses, this featurearticle presents an overview of the trends inpopulation and domestic households in Hong Kong inthe past five decades.

2. 2. Coverage2.1

2.1 A de facto enumeration approach wasadopted in the early rounds of population census/by-census. Under this approach, all persons who werepresent in Hong Kong at the reference moment,including local residents and transients, wereenumerated. The total number of local residentstemporarily away from Hong Kong was alsoestimated in most rounds although they were notincluded in the enumeration coverage. In the 1996Population By-census, a de jure enumerationapproach was used where all residents including

those who were temporarily away from Hong Kongat the reference moment were enumerated withtransients excluded from the coverage.

2.2

2.2 A resident population approach has beenadopted to compile the population estimates of HongKong since August 2000. Such change is effectedin view of the greater relevance of the residentpopulation concept from a statistical theorystandpoint in measuring the population size of aplace. It is considered particularly appropriate to do

so to take account of the latest residency and mobility

patterns of the Hong Kong population.


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2.3

2.3 The resident population method was adoptedin the last three rounds of population census/by-census, namely the 2001 Population Census, the 2006Population By-census and the 2011 Population

Census. Details of the resident populationapproach can be found in the feature article entitledCompiling Population Estimates of Hong Kong inthe February 2002 issue of the Hong Kong MonthlyDigest of Statistics.

2.4

2.4 Except the total population figures for the 1981Population Census, the 1986 Population By-censusand the 1991 Population Census which have beenadjusted by including the number of residentstemporarily away from Hong Kong, all other figurespresented in this feature article are based on results of

the population censuses and by-censuses. Caution isrequired in making comparison because of the

changes in population coverage over time.Nonetheless, it is considered that the figures arebroadly comparable.

2.5

2.5 Household is a socio-economic unit consistingof individuals who share the living quarters and otherliving essentials such as meals. Household can be

distinguished into domestic and non-domestichouseholds. Domestic households consist of peopleliving under the same roof, whether related or not,

and sharing food and expenses. Non-domestichouseholds mainly consist of people living ininstitutions (such as homes for the aged, infirmaries,and staff quarters of factories) and Mobile Residents(as defined under the resident population concept)who do not belong to any domestic households in

Hong Kong. The analyses in respect of householdsin this feature article are confined to domestichouseholds only.

3. 3. Trend in Population Population size3.1 707 313 20

3.1 The Hong Kong population in 2011 was 7.07million, which was more than double of that of 3.13million in 1961. Population growth was relativelyrapid during the early period till 1981. Thepopulation continued to increase at a fast pace in thenext 20 years but at a moderated rate in the recent 10years. The salient characteristics of the populationand the underlying factors affecting its growth foreach of the ten-year periods are presented in thefollowing paragraphs. (Chart 1)


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Chart 1 Population and Average Annual Growth Rate, 1961 2011

(1)

Notes: (1) The Hong Kong population figures of the 1961 PopulationCensus conducted in February/March 1961, the 1971 PopulationCensus conducted in February/March 1971 and the 1976Population By-census conducted in July/August 1976 did notinclude residents temporarily away from Hong Kong.

(2)

(2) The average annual growth rate over the past 5 years of the 1971Population Census conducted in February/March 1971 refers toaverage annual growth rate over the past 10 years.

(3) 123 252

(3) The Hong Kong population figure of the 1981 PopulationCensus conducted in March 1981 included 123 252 residentstemporarily away from Hong Kong.

(4) 99 491

(4) The Hong Kong population figure of the 1986 Population By-census conducted in March 1986 included 99 491 residentstemporarily away from Hong Kong.

(5) 151 833

(5) The Hong Kong population figure of the 1991 Population Censusconducted in March 1991 included 151 833 residents temporarilyaway from Hong Kong.

(6) 6 412 937

6 217 556

(6) The Hong Kong population figure of the 1996 Population By-census conducted in March 1996 compiled based on theresident population approach and the de jure enumeration

approach were 6 412 937 and 6 217 556 respectively (thepopulation figure compiled based on the resident populationapproach is presented in the above chart). The average annualgrowth rate over the past 5 years of the 1996 Population Censusis compiled by comparing the population figures between thatpopulation by-census based on the de jure enumerationapproach and the 1991 Population Census (including those whowere temporarily away from Hong Kong). The correspondingfigure for the 2001 Population Census is compiled by comparingthe population figures between the 2001 Population Census andthe 1996 Population By-census both based on the residentpopulation approach.

(7)

(7) The Hong Kong population figures and average annual growth

rates over the past 5 years of the 2001 Population Censusconducted in March 2001, the 2006 Population By-censusconducted in July/August 2006 and the 2011 Population Censusconducted in July/August 2011 are compiled based on the

resident population approach.

Millions

Average annual growth rate over the past 5 years (%)

Population

Average annual growth rate

over the past 5 years

3.13

3.94

4.40

5.11

5.505.67

6.416.71

6.867.07

2.32.1

3.3

1.5

0.6

1.8

0.90.4 0.6

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1961 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011


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1961 to 19713.2 313 394 80 2.3%

3.2 The Hong Kong population in 1961 was about3.13 million. It grew by more than 0.8 million to

3.94 million in 1971. During the ten-year period,the average annual growth rate was 2.3%.

3.3 217 25 55%

3.3 The fast population growth was mainly due tothe effect of baby boomers. About 2.17 millionpeople were aged below 25 in 1971 (i.e. born in 1946or after), representing about 55% of the population.

1971 to 19813.4

440 2.1%

3.4 The population continued to grow at a steady

pace and reached 4.40 million in 1976. The averageannual growth rate was 2.1% for the period from1971 to 1976.

3.5 511 3.3% 50

3.5 The population then grew drastically to 5.11million in 1981, at an average annual growth rate of3.3% over the previous five years. This was thehighest growth rate recorded for a five-year periodduring the past 50 years.

3.6

1

15 44

3.6 The high growth rate is mainly attributable to a

large number of entrants from the mainland of China(the Mainland) before the abolition of the touch-basepolicy

1. Many of them were aged 15 to 44 in 1981.

3.7 15 44 202 251 49

3.7 As a result, the population aged 15 to 44

increased significantly by 0.49 million from 2.02million in 1971 to 2.51 million in 1981. Amongthem, the growth was relatively faster for the malepopulation than the female population.

1

1Touch-base policy refers to the policy implementedduring the period from November 1974 to October

1980 on illegal immigrants from the Mainland.

During the said period, illegal immigrants from the

Mainland arrested on arrival were repatriated.However, all others who evaded capture and

subsequently "reached base", that is, gained a home

with relatives or otherwise found proper

accommodation, were permitted to stay.


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1981 to 19913.8

3.8 Although the touch-base policy was abolishedin October 1980, persons from the Mainland residing

in Hong Kong remained as the major source ofpopulation growth during this ten-year period.These persons came to Hong Kong through the one-way permit (OWP) scheme, and many of them werespouses and children of entrants from the Mainlandbefore the abolition of the touch-base policy.

3.9 80 90 3.3% 1.5% 0.6%

3.9 Another major factor affecting the populationgrowth was due to the fact that there were a largeamount of emigrants in the late 1980s and early1990s. As a result, the average annual growth ratedropped considerably from 3.3% during the period

1976 to 1981 to 1.5% during the period 1981 to 1986,and was further reduced to 0.6% during the period1986 to 1991.

1991 to 20013.10 1.8%

3.10 The population reverted to experience arelatively faster growth at an average annual growthrate of 1.8% for the period from 1991 to 1996. Itwas mainly due to the fact that a lot of Hong Kongpeople who had migrated overseas earlier returned to

Hong Kong for family reunion and economic reasons.

3.11 0.9%

3.11 As the effect of returnees faded out, theaverage annual growth rate of the populationdecreased to 0.9% in the next five years.

3.12 105 150 452 000

124

3.12 The number of OWP holders coming to HongKong also increased during this ten-year periodparticularly after the increase in the daily OWP quotafrom 105 in 1993 to 150 in 1995. The total numberof OWP holders during the 10 years from 1991 to

2000 was 452 000, or 124 persons per day.

3.13 15

3.13 As most of the OWP holders were spouses ofHong Kong residents and their children, this partly

offset the drop in the population aged under 15 owingto a continuous decline in the number of births duringthe period.

3.14 77 000 227 000

3.14 There was a continuously large inflow offoreign domestic helpers (FDHs) during this period.According to the administrative figures, the numberof FDHs increased sharply from 77 000 in mid-1991to 227 000 in mid-2001. The sex ratio (i.e. number


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0 - 4

5 - 9

10 -14

15 -19

20 -24

25 -29

30 -34

35 -39

40 -44

45 -49

50 -54

55 -59

60 -64

65 -69

70 -74

75 -79

80 -84

85 -89

90 -94

95 -99

100+

Age Group

Thousands

Male Female

400 300 200 100 0 100 200 300 400

1 038 960

1 012

of males per 1 000 females) therefore droppedsignificantly from 1 038 in 1991 to 960 in 2001.Nevertheless, the sex ratio was still over parity in

2001, at 1 012, after excluding FDHs from thepopulation.

2001 to 20113.15 0.4% 0.6%

3.15 The population grew slowly during the past 10years. During this period, the average annual

growth rate for the first half was 0.4% and that for thesecond half was 0.6%.

3.16

15 17% 12% 65 11% 13%

3.16 During this period, the change in thepopulation age structure was mainly attributable tothe continuously low level of both fertility rate andmortality rate experienced by the population. Thepopulation aged under 15 decreased significantly andits proportion dropped from 17% in 2001 to 12% in

2011. The population aged 65 and over showed anincreasing trend and its proportion increased from11% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. These phenomena of

dejuvenation and population ageing can be revealedfrom the shrinking base and widening tip of thepopulation pyramids. (Chart 2)

Chart 2 Population Pyramids, 2001 and 2011

20012011


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3.17 36.7 41.7

3.17 The combined effects of the changing agestructure are also reflected in the increase of themedian age of the population from 36.7 in 2001 to

41.7 in 2011.

3.18 45 64 20

3.18 Many of the baby boomers and the immigrants

from the Mainland coming to Hong Kong before theabolition of the touch-base policy were aged 45 to 64in 2011. They would reach their old age in thecoming 20 years and this would accelerate the pace ofthe population ageing in the near future.

3.19

227 000 292 000 466 000

3.19 The factors affecting the sex ratio such as thecontinuous inflow of OWP holders and FDHscontinued to persist in the past decade. The number

of FDHs increased from 227 000 in mid-2001 to292 000 in mid-2011 whereas the number of OWPholders coming to Hong Kong during the 10 yearsfrom 2000 to 2010 was 466 000.

3.20 960 876 1 012 939

3.20 The sex ratio remained below parity. From

960 males per 1 000 females in 2001, the sex ratiodropped to 876 in 2011. The corresponding sexratios after excluding FDHs were 1 012 and 939.

4. 4. Trend in Domestic Households Number of domestic households4.1 69 237 50 4.3%1.2%

50

4.1 The number of domestic households increaseddrastically from 0.69 million in 1961 to 2.37 millionin 2011. During this fifty-year period, the highestaverage annual growth rate over the previous 5 yearswas observed in 1981 at 4.3%. The correspondingfigure for 2011 was 1.2%, which was the lowest one

recorded over the past 50 years. (Chart 3)

Domestic household size4.2 4.5 2.9

4.2 Apart from the direct effect of populationgrowth, the trend towards smaller household wasanother important factor accounting for the sharp risein the number of domestic households. The averagehousehold size dropped from 4.5 in 1971 to 2.9 in

2011. (Chart 4)


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Chart 3 Number of Domestic Households and Average Annual Growth Rate, 1961 2011

Chart 4 Average Domestic Household Size, 1961 2011

(1)

Note: (1) The average annual growth rate over the past 5 years of the1971 Population Census conducted in February/March 1971

refers to average annual growth rate over the past 10 years.

Millions

Average annual growth rate over the past 5 years (%)

Number of domestic

households

Average annual growth rate

over the past 5 years

4.4 4.53.9

3.43.1

2.9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011

0.69

0.86

1.02

1.24

1.45

1.58

1.86

2.05

2.23

2.37

2.2

3.4

4.3

3.1

1.7

3.2

2.0

1.51.2

0

4

8

12

0

1

2

3

1961 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011


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13.2%

43.1%

9.9%

16.5%

15.6%

1.7%15.0%

39.4%

11.9%

14.5%

17.1%

2.1%

Household composition4.3 271 000 354 000 13% 15% 16% 17% 884 000 934 000

43% 39%

4.3 Study of the changes in household compositionis useful to understanding why the domestic

household size dropped continuously. Over the pastdecade, the number of domestic householdscomposed of a couple only increased from 271 000 in2001 to 354 000 in 2011. Its share increased from13% in 2001 to 15% in 2011. Besides, theproportion of one-person households also increasedfrom 16% in 2001 to 17% in 2011. On the other

hand, the proportion of domestic householdscomposed of a couple and unmarried childrendropped from 43% in 2001 to 39% in 2011,notwithstanding that the corresponding number rosefrom 884 000 to 934 000. (Chart 5)

Chart 5 Distribution of Domestic Households by Household Composition, 2001 and 2011

Composed of couple

Composed of couple andunmarried children

Composed of lone parent andunmarried children

Relative households

One-person households

Non-relative households

2001 2011


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4.4 65 45 64

4.4 Among the domestic households composed ofa couple only, significant increases were noted in thenumber of elderly couples (both aged 65 and over)and the number of couples who were both aged 45 to

64 in 2011 as compared with those of 2001. Thiswas partly a reflection of the ageing population.(Table 1)

Table 1 Domestic Households Composed of Couples Only by Age of Couple, 2001 and 2011

Age of husband

Age of wife

Domestic households composed

of couples only (thousands)

2001 2011Change, 2001 2011

2001 2011 No. %65+ 65+ 54.5 85.0 +30.5 +56.0

65+ 45 64 23.2 35.2 +12.0 +51.6

45 64 45 64 54.3 100.6 +46.3 +85.3

45 64 25 44 14.9 25.5 +10.6 +71.2

25 44 25 44 113.2 99.3 -13.9 -12.3

Other age combinations

11.2 8.9 -2.3 -20.5

Total 271.2 354.5 +83.3 +30.7

25 44 Couples aged 25 to 444.5 25 44 556 000 395 000

4.5 The number of couples both aged 25 to 44decreased from 556 000 in 2001 to 395 000 in 2011.This was partly attributable to the decline in the

population size of the age group concerned and theincreased prevalence of bachelorhood orspinsterhood.

4.6 25 44 54% 10% 61% 9%

4.6 Among the couples both aged 25 to 44, around54% of them lived together with their unmarried

children only in 2011. Another 10% of suchcouples lived together with at least one of theirparents and their unmarried children. The

corresponding proportions in 2001 were 61% and 9%respectively. (Chart 6)

4.7 25% 25 44

20%

4.7 On the other hand, 25% of the couples bothaged 25 to 44 lived without any other relatives in2011, higher than the 20% in 2001.


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20.3%

60.7%

2.4%

9.4%

7.2%

25.1%

54.0%

3.5%

10.1%

7.2%

25 44Chart 6 Distribution of Couples Both Aged 25 to 44 by Household Composition, 2001 and

2011

5. 5. Further Information5.1 (http://www.census2011.gov.hk)

5.1 Readers who are interested in trends ofpopulation may refer to the Interactive Visualisationsentitled Population Growth and PopulationPyramids available on the website of the 2011Population Census (http://www.census2011.gov.hk).

Some other summary findings about thecharacteristics of population and households in HongKong compiled based on the data of the 2011

Population Census can be found in the report 2011Population Census Summary Results and the MainTables on the website of the 2011 Population Census.

Couple only

Living with unmarried children

only

Living with at least one of their parents

only

Living with at least one of their parents and theirunmarried children

Composed of other relationshipcombinations

2001 2011

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