Year-end Population for 2007
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    According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the Hong Kong Population was 6 963 100 (provisional) at end-2007, representing an increase of 53 600 (provisional) or 0.8% (provisional) over end-2006.

    Obtained by subtracting the number of deaths of 38 900 from the number of births of 69 600, the natural increase of the population from end-2006 to end-2007 amounted to 30 700.

    The overall population increased by 53 600 (provisional) over the same period, comprising a natural increase of 30 700 and a net movement (i.e. inflow less outflow) of 22 900 residents. 

    Births and inflow of One-way Permit holders (OWPHs) were important constituents of the overall population increase.  For the number of births during end-2006 to end-2007, at 69 600, which comprised births born to Hong Kong residents and non-Hong Kong residents, its ratio to the overall population increase over the same period was 130%.  As for the inflow of OWPHs in the same period, at 33 900, the corresponding ratio to the overall population increase was 63%. 

    Deaths during the period offset part of the increase.  The ratio of the number of deaths, at 38 900, to the overall population increase was 73%.  Besides, excluding the arrival of OWPHs mentioned above, there was a net outflow of 11 000 persons, bearing a ratio of 21% to the overall population increase.

    The Hong Kong Population is measured on the definition of Resident Population, which comprises Usual Residents and Mobile Residents.  Among the total population at end-2007, 6 732 700 (provisional) were Usual Residents and 230 400 (provisional) were Mobile Residents.

    "Usual Residents" 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.

    The previously released provisional figure for the mid-year population for 2007 was revised to 6 925 900.  The number of Usual Residents was revised to 6 705 500 and the number of Mobile Residents to 220 400.  The population growth rate from mid-2006 to mid-2007 was also revised to 1.0%.

    The population figures for recent years are shown in the attached table.

    It should be noted that the population figure does not include visitors.  The number of visitors present in Hong Kong as at end-2007 was 405 100.

    Under the current practice, the latest population figure is released on a provisional basis in each round.  The revised figure will be released six months later.  In other words, while the provisional population figure for end-2007 is released today, the corresponding revised figure will be released in August 2008.

Ends/Thursday, February 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:15

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