Hong Kong Population Rises 0.3% to 7.52 Million Despite Record Low Births
SCMP · 5 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's population rose slightly by 0.3% year-on-year to more than 7.5 million by mid-2026, but the number of babies born fell to a record low despite government incentives to boost the birth rate. Provisional data from the Census and Statistics Department showed that the city recorded fewer than 30,000 births for the first time since official records began in 1962 .
Key Points
- Hong Kong's mid-2026 population provisionally stood at 7,518,300, an increase of 19,400 or 0.3% compared with mid-2025
- The city recorded a net inflow of 39,800 Hong Kong residents during the period, with births at 29,700 and deaths at 50,100, resulting in a natural decrease of 20,400
- Births fell 15.6% from the 35,200 recorded in the same period a year earlier, marking the first time below 30,000 since records began in 1962
- Total population comprises 7,252,800 usual residents and 265,500 mobile residents
- The government attributed the population increase to talent attraction and labour importation measures that brought people from around the world
Why It Matters
The record-low birth rate underscores the challenge facing Hong Kong's demographic future, even as immigration policies temporarily boost overall population numbers. The widening gap between births and deaths highlights the limitations of current family-friendly policies, including the three-year baby bonus scheme offering a one-off HK$20,000 cash award to new parents .
The record-low birth rate underscores the challenge facing Hong Kong's demographic future, even as immigration policies temporarily boost overall population numbers. The widening gap between births and deaths highlights the limitations of current family-friendly policies, including the three-year baby bonus scheme offering a one-off HK$20,000 cash award to new parents .