Census Report Reveals Divorce and Maintenance Order Trends in Hong Kong Households

Thematic Household Survey Report No. 83 published

The Thematic Household Survey Report No. 83 is published by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (December 16).

This publication contains key findings on enforcement of maintenance orders based on the Thematic Household Survey conducted from April to August 2024.

The survey results showed that 432 300 persons aged 16 and over had ever been divorced/separated at the time of enumeration, constituting 6.9% of all persons aged 16 and over in Hong Kong. It should be noted that the number of persons who had ever been divorced/separated might be subject to under-reporting because some of the target respondents may not be willing to reveal that they had ever been divorced/separated. Data users are reminded to interpret the related figures with caution.

Of the 432 300 ever divorced/separated persons, the majority (344 500 persons or 79.7%) had neither applied nor intended to apply for a maintenance order, of whom 10 900 persons had a maintenance agreement with their ex-spouse for receiving maintenance. The most commonly cited reason for the remaining 333 600 persons not doing so was "no such need" (44.2%). On the other hand, 83 500 persons (19.3%) had applied for a maintenance order from the court at the time of enumeration, while 4 300 persons (1.0%) intended to do so.

Among the 83 500 ever divorced/separated persons who had applied for a maintenance order, the great majority (77 900 persons or 93.3%) were successful in obtaining the maintenance order, while 3.4% were not successful. Results for the remaining 3.3% were not yet known. Coupled with 10 900 persons who had a maintenance agreement with their ex-spouse for receiving maintenance, there were 88 800 ever divorced/separated persons receiving maintenance at the time of enumeration.

Among the abovementioned 88 800 persons, there were 35 200 persons receiving a nominal maintenance of $1 from their ex-spouse or awaiting the court's ruling on the mode of maintenance payment. More than half (51.8%) of the remaining 53 600 ever divorced/separated persons receiving maintenance were able to receive the maintenance payment in full, including those who had received a lump sum maintenance payment or periodic maintenance payments on time during the 12 months before enumeration.

Other information

The survey successfully enumerated target respondents in some 10 100 households in accordance with a scientific sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.

Detailed findings of the survey, together with the population coverage and concepts/definitions of key terms, are presented in the publication. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1130201&scode=453).

Enquiries about the survey findings can be directed to the Social Surveys Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5103 or email: thematic@censtatd.gov.hk).

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD)

Hong Kong Customs detects first drug trafficking case involving underwater compartment of ocean-going vessel and seizes suspected cocaine worth about $256 million

​Hong Kong Customs, in a joint operation with Mainland Customs anti-smuggling departments, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department, detected its first drug trafficking case where an underwater compartment of an ocean-going vessel was used for drug concealment. During the operation on November 5 in Tsing Yi, Hong Kong Customs officers seized about 417 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value about $256 million and arrested two men.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs identified an ocean-going vessel and suspected that criminals were utilising its underwater hull structure to conceal drugs, and thereby formulated enforcement actions. On November 5, the ocean-going vessel that departed from Brazil was selected for underwater inspection, and 11 bags of suspected cocaine, weighing about 417kg in total, were found in an underwater compartment. After a follow-up investigation, Hong Kong Customs officers arrested two men, aged 45 and 37, who were suspected of being involved in the case in Tsing Yi.

The two arrested men have been released pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Hong Kong Customs will step up enforcement action to resolutely combat different kinds of drug trafficking activities before the long holidays.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Hong Kong Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects first drug trafficking case involving underwater compartment of ocean-going vessel and seizes suspected cocaine worth about $256 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases