*******************

The provisional figure for the mid-2000 population of Hong Kong was 6 782 100, according to statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department. There was an increase of 61 400 persons as compared with the mid-1999 population, representing a growth rate of 0.9 per cent.

There were 51 400 births and 33 800 deaths in Hong Kong during mid-1999 to mid-2000. The natural increase (i.e. births less deaths) thus amounted to 17 600, accounting for 29 per cent of the population growth.

During the same period, the net movement (inflow less outflow) showed a net inflow of some 43 800 persons, constituting 71 per cent of the population growth.

Of the 6 782 100 persons within the mid-2000 Hong Kong Population, 6 593 400 were Usual Residents and 188 700 were Mobile Residents.

A table showing population figures for recent reference time-points is attached.

Statistically, "Usual Residents" would 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.

It should be noted that the population figure does not include visitors. The number of visitors present in Hong Kong as at mid-2000 was 137 900.

The methodology for compiling population figures has recently been revised subsequent to an in-depth study on developments in the population situation and the residency/mobility patterns of the Hong Kong Population. A detailed description of the study and the results have been released on 11 August 2000. The "resident population" approach has been adopted in place of the "extended de facto" approach for compiling population figures, and the Hong Kong Population is measured on the basis of the "Hong Kong Resident Population". An article entitled "Revision to the Method of Compiling Population Figures of Hong Kong" containing the relevant information will be published in the September 2000 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics. At the Census and Statistics Website, there is a technical note on the subject (http://www.info.gov.hk/censtatd/eng/whatsnew/new_pop_est/tech_note.htm).

Under the revised methodology, a provisional population figure is released in each round when the latest mid-year figure (or end-year figure) is released. The revised figure will be released six months later, together with release of a provisional population figure in the next round. In other words, while the provisional population figure for mid-2000 is released today, the revised figure will be released in mid-February 2001.

End/Tuesday, August 22, 2000

NNNN