HONG KONG (Reuters) – The population of Hong Kong experienced a slight uptick of 0.1% in 2024, reaching a total of over 7.53 million residents. This marks the third consecutive year of growth for the Asian financial hub, driven by a notable increase in the number of newborns and a rise in individuals relocating to the city.
The recent population surge comes at a crucial time for the Chinese special administrative region, as it strives to strengthen its economy and restore its global appeal following three years of stringent COVID-19 restrictions that concluded in 2023. The government attributed the rise primarily to a net inflow of 21,000 individuals, with a remarkable 11% surge in the number of newborns, totaling 36,700.
Highlighting the trend, the government stated, “Continuing to benefit from various measures on talent attraction and labor importation, many individuals made the move to Hong Kong from mainland China and other regions worldwide throughout the year 2024.”
The backdrop of anti-government protests in 2019, swiftly followed by Beijing’s imposition of a comprehensive national security law in 2020, has undoubtedly impacted Hong Kong’s global standing. Nonetheless, the recent population increase signifies a positive development for the region as it navigates through challenging times.
Interestingly, Hong Kong’s population growth contrasts with the declining trend in China, where the population has shrunk for the third consecutive year in 2024.
(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Kim Coghill)
