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"Demographic Trends in Hong Kong 1986-2016" published
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     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (December 28) a publication entitled "Demographic Trends in Hong Kong 1986-2016".

     The publication describes the growth, the age-sex structure and the patterns of fertility, mortality and marriage of the Hong Kong population in the past 30 years. The publication also depicts Hong Kong's demographic changes over the period 1986-2016, highlighting comparisons with the situations observed in selected economies during the same period.

     The population of Hong Kong increased at an average annual growth rate of 0.9% in the past 3 decades, from 5.52 million in 1986 to 7.34 million in 2016. Concurrent with this population growth, there were also significant demographic changes.

     The population showed a continuing ageing trend. The median age of the population rose from 28.8 in 1986 to 43.4 in 2016. This is attributable to the declining fertility and the continuous improvement in mortality experienced in the last 30 years.

     Hong Kong's fertility showed a declining trend over the past 30 years. The total fertility rate decreased from 1 367 live births per 1 000 women in 1986 to 1 205 in 2016.

     Hong Kong experienced a continuous decline in mortality during 1986-2016, leading to an increase in life expectancy. The expectation of life at birth for males increased from 74.1 years in 1986 to 81.3 years in 2016. The expectation of life at birth for females increased from 79.4 years to 87.3 years during the same period.
      
     As for the trends in marriage, delay in marriage prevailed. In 2016, the median age at first marriage was 31.4 for bridegrooms and 29.4 for brides. In 1986, the corresponding median ages were 28.0 and 25.3 respectively. Furthermore, there was a rising trend of brides being Hong Kong women and bridegrooms being Mainland men in Mainland-Hong Kong cross-boundary marriages. The proportion of such marriages in all cross-boundary marriages increased from 4.1% in 1986 to 33.3% in 2016.

     The number of divorce decrees granted increased significantly from 4 257 in 1986 to 17 196 in 2016.

     A summary of the key demographic statistics is presented in Table 1.

     Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp150.jsp?productCode=B1120017).

     Enquiries on the content of the publication can be directed to the Demographic Statistics Section (1), C&SD (Tel: 3903 6943 or email: population@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
Ends/Thursday, December 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00
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