Hong Kong Women Outnumber Men by 689,000 as Gender Gap Widens
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Census and Statistics Department released its "Women and Men in Hong Kong — Key Statistics (2026 Edition)" on Monday (8 September 2025), revealing that Hong Kong's population gender imbalance continues to deepen. As of end-2025, female population reached 4.0986 million while male population stood at 3.4101 million, resulting in a gap of approximately 689,000 . The sex ratio declined to 830 males per 1,000 females, meaning the gender disparity has worsened compared to the previous year . The report also highlights persistent wage gaps, with median monthly earnings for women at HK$17,900 versus HK$25,000 for men, while female representation in senior civil service positions has risen to 43% .
Key Points
- Population structure shows females at 4.0986 million and males at 3.4101 million, a difference of approximately 689,000
- The sex ratio dropped to 830 males per 1,000 females, with women outnumbering men by approximately 689,000
- Median monthly income for women is HK$17,900 versus HK$25,000 for men, with the gender pay gap widening from $7,000 to $7,100
- Female senior civil servants increased to 595, representing 43% of all directorate-grade civil servants
- Among those aged 25 to 64 who have never married, men (629,000) outnumber women (598,000) by 31,000
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's widening gender imbalance has far-reaching implications for social planning, housing policy, and elderly care services . The combination of an aging population, where women aged 65 and above grew by 2.7%, and the growing number of never-married individuals suggests increasing demand for diverse housing solutions and tailored social services catering to single elderly women . Additionally, the persistent gender pay gap and underrepresentation of women in top government positions despite recent improvements indicate that workplace equality remains an ongoing challenge requiring policy attention .
Hong Kong's widening gender imbalance has far-reaching implications for social planning, housing policy, and elderly care services . The combination of an aging population, where women aged 65 and above grew by 2.7%, and the growing number of never-married individuals suggests increasing demand for diverse housing solutions and tailored social services catering to single elderly women . Additionally, the persistent gender pay gap and underrepresentation of women in top government positions despite recent improvements indicate that workplace equality remains an ongoing challenge requiring policy attention .