The people of Hong Kong

At the time of the 1991 census, Hong Kong had a population of 5,674,114.

The 2006 population was 6,940,432, indicating a population density of 7,018 persons per sq km (18,176 per sq mi).

The population is unevenly distributed, however, with the greatest concentrations of people in Kowloon and across the harbor on Hong Kong Island.

Some districts, such as Mong Kok in Kowloon, have population densities of about 40,000 persons per sq km (about 100,000 per sq mi), among the highest urban densities in the world.

Although birth and death rates are comparatively low in Hong Kong, migration from other parts of China creates a high population growth rate, and migrants now make up about 40 percent of the population.

About 98 percent of the people are ethnic Han Chinese. Of these, 90 percent speak the Cantonese dialect of Chinese and come from southern China, or are descendants of people who originated there. The remaining 10 percent of Han Chinese come from other regions of China and speak other Chinese dialects.

About 2 percent of the total population come from or have ancestors who came from foreign countries, most from Southeast Asia.

Many people practice ancestral worship, owing to the influence of Confucianism, but all major religions are represented. Chinese and English are Hong Kong’s official languages.

From 1984 to 1997, due to the uncertainty of the transition back to China, thousands of well-educated and wealthy Hong Kong citizens moved to countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, where they obtained permanent residency status or citizenship. However, many returned to Hong Kong after their initial emigration.

In 1973 the Hong Kong government began a massive program of housing construction and industrial relocation in the New Territories. The program is an attempt to lessen the crowding of Kowloon and the Central district of Hong Kong Island, and to reduce the demand for transportation by building planned communities near employment centers.

Since many people in Hong Kong prefer living near their workplace, this approach has helped to accommodate Hong Kong’s large population on its small area of land.

Education is free and compulsory for all children from the age of 6 to 15, and adult literacy is over 90 percent.

Only a small percentage of high school graduates attend college or university on a full-time basis, however. There are seven colleges and universities, including two polytechnic schools.

The largest and oldest institution of higher learning is the University of Hong Kong, founded in 1911.

The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts offers courses in dance, music, theater, and technical arts.

There are also more than a dozen technical institutes, technical colleges, and teacher-training colleges, which have large numbers of part-time students.

Hong Kong has a variety of cultural attractions and activities. The Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival are annual events.

Professional music companies include the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Dance Company.

( Jackie Chan )
The territory has a thriving film and television industry. One of Hong Kong’s most popular actors is Jackie Chan, who is known for his starring roles and stunts in action movies.



( Disneyland )
Hong Kong Disneyland opened in September 2005.

Hong Kong’s prosperous economy is reflected in the lifestyle of its people. They have one of the highest standards of living in all of Asia, and it is more than 30 times higher than China’s average standard of living.

In 2004 Hong Kong’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was $23,680, although much of the wealth is concentrated into relatively few hands.