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Hong Kong's population grows to 7.51 million by end-2025, driven by talent attraction measures

HK

Hong Kong's population grows to 7.51 million by end-2025, driven by talent attraction measures
HK

HK

Hong Kong's population grows to 7.51 million by end-2025, driven by talent attraction measures

2026-02-12 16:30 Last Updated At:02-13 12:17

Year-end Population for 2025

According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (February 12), the provisional estimate of the Hong Kong population was 7 510 800 at end-2025, representing an increase of 10 200 or 0.1% from 7 500 600 at end-2024.

Photo source: reference image

Photo source: reference image

A net inflow of 29 100 Hong Kong residents (i.e. inflow more than outflow) was recorded during the period from end-2024 to end-2025. Over the same period, a natural decrease (i.e. deaths surpassing births) of 18 900 was recorded, with 31 100 births and 50 000 deaths.

Among the total population at end-2025, 7 242 400 were Usual Residents and 268 400 were Mobile Residents. The revised figure for the mid-year population for 2025 was 7 498 900. The number of Usual Residents was revised to 7 232 900 and the number of Mobile Residents to 266 000. The rate of change in population from mid-2024 to mid-2025 was also revised to -0.3%.

Table 1 presents estimated total population as at end-2025, while Table 2 presents population figures from mid-2014 to end-2025.

Commentary

A government spokesperson said that the overall population in end-2025 increased as compared to end-2024, benefiting from various measures on talent attraction and labour importation that brought people into Hong Kong from other places around the world to offset the impact of natural population decrease.

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-2025 is released today, the corresponding revised estimate will be released in August 2026.

Photo source: reference image

Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 31) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.9 million.

A 31-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Koh Samui, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed in snack packaging inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

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 Customs' 24-hour 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 seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport   Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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