4
PART I INTRODUCTION
20. The size of this population, which is mainly contained in a relatively small proportion of the total area of the Colony, is sufficient to justify the con- clusion that Hong Kong's major problem is a 'problem of people'. The 1961 census also drew attention to some distinctive features of the population which are relevant to later chapters of this report; viz,
(a) the number of Hong Kong born (1,482,887 of all ages) was less than 40%
of the population; and
(b) about 40% of the population was under the age of 15.
21. The implications of these figures in terms of provision of employment and housing and social services are self evident; for example, the report of the 1961 census classified the housing of 726,577 persons as 'gravely inadequate'. On the other hand, the labour force was found to be unusually high (1,211,759) and the incidence of unemployment very low (approx. 16,000).
22. The Place. The total area of the Colony is approximately 400 square miles, of which about 365 square miles are held on lease from China. The focus of the Colony has traditionally been the harbour, around which the commercial, industrial and residential districts have grown up with the development of the economy and the increase in population.
23. Although there has been a considerable movement of population from the older areas of development on the northern shoreline of Hong Kong Island and the southern end of the Kowloon peninsula to more outlying areas, the greatest densities of population and consequently the most acute struggle for space occurs in these areas.
24. Differences between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The fact that the serious rioting in 1956 and the far less serious disturbances which took place in April 1966 occurred in Kowloon and not in Victoria (Hong Kong Island) suggests that there may be some differences in the population or in the physical environ- ment of the two cities.
25. There is little evidence of any significant difference between the population of the two cities either in terms of age composition or origin, but the Hong Kong population is less than half that of Kowloon and New Kowloon combined.
26. The physical features and geographical setting of the two cities are notably different and lead to markedly different community groupings on the two shores of the harbour. In Hong Kong the narrow strip of foreshore accommodates the business area mainly in its Central District, with residential areas in the east, south and western fringes and with a fairly sharp dividing line between the higher and lower income districts; many of the former being situated on the higher levels of the Peak or the more distant parts of the Island, approachable only at higher