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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (August 21) the August 2006 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics (HKMDS).
In this issue, four feature articles entitled "Results of the 2004/05 Household Expenditure Survey", "Port Transhipment Cargo Statistics, 2000-2005", "The Social Security Assistance Index of Prices" and "Technology Balance of Payments Statistics of Hong Kong, 2000 - 2004" are included.
"Results of the 2004/05 Household Expenditure Survey"
The C&SD conducts a Household Expenditure Survey (HES) once every five years. The main objective of the HES is to collect up-to-date information on the expenditure patterns of households in Hong Kong for updating the expenditure weights used in the compilation of the Consumer Price Indices.
This feature article gives a brief account of the methodology and major findings of the HES conducted from October 2004 to September 2005. Analyses of household expenditure patterns by household characteristics such as household size, household composition, number of earners in the household, etc. are also presented.
The survey results showed that on average, a household spent $18,884 a month on food, consumer goods and services in 2004/05. Analysed on a per capita basis, the average monthly expenditure was $6,108.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Price Statistics Branch, C&SD (Tel.: 2805 6412).
"Port Transhipment Cargo Statistics, 2000-2005"
Port transhipment cargo movements have contributed significantly to the port cargo growth of Hong Kong in recent years. With an average annual growth rate of 12% in the period 2000-2005, port transhipment cargo took up 47% of port cargo throughput in 2005. The port transhipment cargo movements between Hong Kong and the mainland of China accounted for the largest share (44%) of Hong Kong's port transhipment cargo. Furthermore, about 74% of these Mainland-Hong Kong port transhipment cargo were between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. This feature article analyses the port transhipment cargo statistics of Hong Kong during the period 2000-2005.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Shipping and Cargo Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4889).
"The Social Security Assistance Index of Prices"
The Social Security Assistance Index of Prices (SSAIP) is a Consumer Price Index (CPI) specially compiled by the C&SD for use by the Social Welfare Department as a reference in reviewing the standard rates and supplements under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme to take account of price changes.
Similar to other CPIs, the weights of expenditure used in compiling the SSAIP are based on the actual expenditure by CSSA recipients on individual goods and service items. The data are obtained from a HES.
The expenditure weights of the SSAIP have recently been updated based on findings of the 2004/05 HES.
Details of the compilation and application of the index are given in this feature article.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Research and Statistics Section, Social Welfare Department (Tel.: 2892 5225).
"Technology Balance of Payments Statistics of Hong Kong, 2000 - 2004"
The purpose of compiling technology balance of payments (TBP) statistics is to measure intangible transactions relating to trade in technical knowledge and technology-related services between countries/economies. The TBP statistics help understand the latest trend in the diffusion and circulation of disembodied technology among countries/economies.
Hong Kong recorded deficits in its TBP account from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, a deficit of HK$6,796 million (at 0.53% of GDP at current prices) was recorded. The results reflected that many Hong Kong businesses have been importing technologies to meet local needs on more innovative and technological activities.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Science and Technology Statistics Section, C&SD (Tel.: 2887 5138).
Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population and vital events; labour; external trade; industrial production; land, housing, building and construction; transport, communications and tourism; public accounts, money and finance; prices; commerce; social conditions; energy; and national income and Balance of Payments. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available.
Users can download this publication free of charge at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
Print version of this publication is available for sale at HK$80 per issue. 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 Statistical Bookstore and the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm). Print versions if purchased online are offered a discount, at 85% of their original prices.
Enquiries about the contents of the HKMDS can be directed to the General Statistics Section (1)B of the C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4738).
Ends/Monday, August 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:00
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