Supplementary Notes
(1) Social Services
(a) Housing
Hong Kong's housing problem stems from the fact that the population is now 83 times that in 1945. The Government' aim is to ensure that every family has a permanent self- contained home at a rent or a price it can afford. At present over 40% of the population live in public housing (in 509,000 flats) and the Housing Authority is construc- ting about 37,000 flats a year, including 7,000 for a Home Ownership Scheme. (Another 27-30,000 units a year are being constructed by the private sector). At the same time, there is a steady improvement in spatial standards and amenities, such as shopping and recreational centres. However, demand continues to exceed supply, and there are still some 580,000 living in squatter areas, partly due to the recent influx of immigrants.
(b) Education
Nine years compulsory free education is provided for all. The literacy rate is 83% (but for immigration it would be nearer 100%). There are two universities
with a total undergraduate enrolment for the 1981-82 session of nearly 10,000 undergraduate students and 2,300 graduates. The Hong Kong Polytechnic provides higher education in mainly technical and commercial subjects: 7,000 full-time and 18,200 part-time students registered for the 1981-82 session. Planning has started for a second Polytechnic. Three post-secondary colleges provide courses for 7,500 students.
(c) Medical Services
There are four hospital regions in Hong Kong each of which is served by a regional hospital offering a full range of consultancy services, one or more district