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A publication entitled ¡§Demographic Trends in Hong Kong 1981¡V2006¡¨ is published by the Census and Statistics Department today (December 27).
The publication describes the population growth and distribution, the age-sex structure and the patterns of fertility, mortality and nuptiality. It also explores the interactions that occur among these elements. The publication also examines Hong Kong¡¦s demographic changes from an international perspective, comparing with the patterns in other economies.
The population of Hong Kong increased at an average annual growth rate of 1.1%, from 5.18 million in 1981 to 6.86 million in 2006. Concomitant with this population growth, there were also significant demographic changes.
The population showed a continuing dejuvenation and ageing trend. The median age of the population rose from 26.3 in 1981 to 39.6 in 2006. This is attributable to the declining fertility and the continuous mortality improvement experienced in the last 25 years.
Hong Kong¡¦s fertility experienced a marked and continuous decline in the past 25 years. The total fertility rate decreased by nearly a half from 1 933 live births per 1 000 women in 1981 to 984 in 2006.
Hong Kong has also experienced a continuous decline in mortality during 1981¡V2006, leading to an increase in life expectancy. The expectation of life at birth for males increased from 72.3 years in 1981 to 79.4 years in 2006. The corresponding figures for females were 78.5 years and 85.5 years.
Delay in marriage prevailed. In 2006, the median age at first marriage was 31 for bridegrooms and 28 for brides. In 1981, the corresponding median ages were 27 and 24 respectively.
The number of divorce decrees granted in 2006 was 17 424, as compared with 2 060 in 1981.
A summary of the key statistics is shown in Table 1.
Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication will be available for sale at HK$55 per copy on January 21, 2008. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD¡¦s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
Enquiries on more detailed statistics can be directed to the Demographic Statistics Section, Census and Statistics Department (Tel.: 2716 8044 or e-mail: population@censtatd.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, December 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:00
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