According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (February 18), the provisional estimate of the Hong Kong population was 7 534 200 at end-2024, representing an increase of 6 400 or 0.1% from 7 527 900 at end-2023.
 
     The population increase between end-2023 and end-2024 was mainly attributable to a net inflow of 21 000 Hong Kong residents (i.e. inflow more than outflow) recorded during the period. Over the same period, a natural decrease (i.e. deaths surpassing births) of 14 700 was recorded, with 36 700 births and 51 400 deaths.
 
     Among the total population at end-2024, 7 267 100 were Usual Residents and 267 100 were Mobile Residents. The revised figure for the mid-year population for 2024 was 7 524 100. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 7 257 300 and the number of Mobile Residents to 266 800. The rate of change in population from mid-2023 to mid-2024 was also revised to -0.2%.
 
     Table 1 presents estimated total population as at end-2024, while Table 2 presents population figures from mid-2013 to end-2024.
 
Commentary
   
     A government spokesperson pointed out that the Hong Kong population registered an increase for the third consecutive years amid resumption of normalcy. Continuing to benefit from various measures on talent attraction and labour importation, many people moved to Hong Kong from the Mainland and other places around the world throughout 2024, resulting in an increase of 0.3% in Usual Residents as at end-2024 as compared to end-2023, and thus an increase in the overall population.
     
Further information
    
     "Usual Residents" refer to 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.
 
     For those Hong Kong Permanent Residents who are not "Usual Residents", they are classified as "Mobile Residents" if they 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.
 
     Under the current practice, the latest population estimate is released on a provisional basis in each round. The revised estimate will be released six months later. In other words, while the provisional population estimate for end-2024 is released today, the corresponding revised estimate will be released in August 2025.
 

Ends/Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:30

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