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According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the Hong Kong Population was 6 994 500 (provisional) at mid-2006, representing an increase of 58 600 (provisional) or 0.8% (provisional) over mid-2005.
Obtained by subtracting the number of deaths of 36 500 from the number of births of 59 800, the natural increase of the population from mid-2005 to mid-2006 amounted to 23 300.
The overall population increased by 58 600 (provisional) over the same period, comprising a natural increase of 23 300 and a net movement (i.e. inflow less outflow) of 35 300 residents.
Both births and inflow of One-way Permit holders (OWPHs) were important constituents of the overall population increase. For the number of births during mid-2005 to mid-2006, at 59 800, which comprised births born to Hong Kong residents and non Hong Kong residents, its ratio to the overall population increase over the same period was 102%. As for the inflow of OWPHs in the same period, at 59 600, the corresponding ratio to the overall population increase was 102%.
Deaths in the meantime offset part of the increase. The ratio of the number of deaths, at 36 500, to the overall population increase was 62%. Besides, not counting the arrival of OWPHs mentioned above, there was a net outflow of 24 300 persons, bearing a ratio of 41% to the overall population increase.
The Hong Kong Population is measured on the definition of Resident Population, which comprises Usual Residents and Mobile Residents. Among the total population at mid-2006, 6 773 500 (provisional) were Usual Residents and 221 000 (provisional) were Mobile Residents.
"Usual Residents" include 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.
"Mobile Residents" are Hong Kong Permanent Residents who 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.
The previously released provisional figure for the year-end population for 2005 was revised to 6 965 900. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 6 742 900 and the number of Mobile Residents to 223 000. The population growth rate from end-2004 to end-2005 was 0.7%.
The population figures for recent years are shown in the attached table.
It should be noted that the population figure does not include visitors. The number of visitors present in Hong Kong as at mid-2006 was 365 800.
Under the current practice, the latest population figure is released on a provisional basis in each round. The revised figure will be released six months later. In other words, while the provisional population figure for mid-2006 is released today, the corresponding revised figure will be released in February 2007.
The 2006 Population By-census was conducted from July 15 to August 1 this year. The by-census data are being processed and detailed statistics will be released in phase as from the latter part of February 2007.
Ends/Monday, August 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:15
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