It is expected that Hong Kong's population will reach about 4.9 million by 1981 and that the estimated population increase and the pro- portion of people of working age will be as follow:-
table 16
1966 1971
1976 1981
increase (1966–1981)
estimated population
3.7
3.9
4.4
4.9
+32%
in millions
population of
2.1
2.4
2.8
3.2
+52%
working age (15-64
years) in millions
The economically active population of 1.65 million people in 1971 is 42 per cent of the total population. It has been estimated that the economically active population will grow to 2.24 millions by 1981. The growth by quinquennial periods is summarised below:-
table 17
estimated number of economically active persons in millions
1961
1966
1971
1976
1981
males
0.86
0.97
1.09
1.30
1.50
females
0.35
0.48
0.56
0.65
0.74
total
1.21
1.45
1.65
1.95
2.24
22