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A report on the latest projections of local population distribution over the next 10 years was published by the Planning Department today (September 5).

The report, entitled "Projections of Population Distribution, 2003-2012", presents the projected population distribution by three geographical demarcation systems, namely, District Council District, New Town and Tertiary Planning Unit, as well as the projected population of each District Council District and New Town by age group for the ten-year period from 2003 to 2012.

The distribution projections were made with respect to the projected total local population of Hong Kong as prepared and released by the Census and Statistics Department in May 2002.

According to the latest projections, Kowloon will experience faster population growth than both the New Territories and Hong Kong Island. Its population will increase by 17 per cent to reach 2.37 million, taking up about 31 per cent of the total population in 2012 as compared to 30 per cent in 2002.

Within the New Territories, population in New Towns will increase by 12 per cent to reach 3.49 million in 2012, accounting for 46 per cent of the total population. Population in other areas of the New Territories will grow much faster, by 21 per cent, although it will represent just six per cent of the total population. Hong Kong's share of the population will drop from 19 per cent in 2002 to 17 per cent in 2012.

Among the District Council Districts, Kwun Tong will overtake Sha Tin and Eastern to become the most populous as from 2009. Its population is projected to reach 694 400 in 2012. Islands District will, on the other hand, experience the fastest and the greatest population growth, with an additional 130 400 people over the next ten years.

The proportion of young age population of age 14 and under is projected to drop rapidly in the New Towns from 17.9 per cent in 2002 to 13.8 per cent in 2012, though it will still be higher than the rest of Hong Kong. In contrast, Kowloon will continue to have the highest proportion of old-age people, aged 65 or above, as compared with other regions.

In 2012, Islands will have the youngest population among all District Council Districts, with a projected median age of 36.9, whereas Wan Chai's population will be the oldest, with a projected median age of 44.0.

The report is available for inspection at the Planning Department's Planning Enquiry Counter on the 17th Floor of North Point Government Offices. Summary projection results are also available on the Planning Department's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/planning.

Purchase of the report can be made online at the Government Bookstore at http://bookstore.esdlife.com; by returning a completed order which can be downloaded from Information Services Department (ISD)'s website at http://www.isd.gov.hk; by calling the Publications Sales of ISD at 2537 1910; or by placing order with ISD by e-mail at puborder@isd.gov.hk.

End/Friday, September 5, 2003

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