POPULATION
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gross domestic product; a programme of economic censuses to cover all sectors of Hong Kong's economy; and a programme to collect the main social statistics recom- mended by the United Nations.
Marriages
All marriage ceremonies in Hong Kong are governed by the Marriage Ordinance and the Marriage Reform Ordinance. Under the Marriage Ordinance, notice of an intended marriage must be given to the Registrar at least 15 clear days in advance. The Registrar has discretion to reduce the period of notice in special circumstances, and the Governor has power to grant a special licence dispensing with notice al- together, but this is done rarely and then only in the most exceptional circumstances.
Marriages may be conducted either at places of public worship licensed for the celebration of marriages or at any of the 13 full-time marriage registries and 14 part- time sub-registries located in the main urban districts and rural centres. During the year 27,660 marriages were performed in registries and 2,776 at licensed places of worship, a total of 30,436-3,172 more than in 1972. All records are maintained at the principal marriage registry at the City Hall.
The Marriage Reform Ordinance provides that all marriages entered into in Hong Kong on and after October 7, 1971, shall imply the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others and may be contracted only in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance. It declares valid certain customary marriages and validates certain other customary marriages known as modern marriages, pro- vided in each case they have been entered into before October 7, 1971. The ordinance also makes provision for post-registration of these customary and modern marriages and for dissolution of such marriages by mutual consent. During 1973, 45 customary and eight modern marriages were post-registered, including 12 in the New Territories.
Births and Deaths
Registration of births and deaths is compulsory, and facilities for registration are provided throughout Hong Kong. The General Register Office is situated at Li Po Chun Chambers, Connaught Road, Central, Victoria, where all records of births and deaths are maintained. Sub-registries have been established in all main urban and rural districts. In outlying areas and islands, births are registered at rural committee offices by visiting district registrars and deaths are registered at local police stations.
The statutory period from date of birth during which it should be registered, and is registered without fee, is 42 days. Between the end of the 42-day period and the expiration of one year from the date of birth a fee of $2 is charged for registration. During the year 80,147 live births and 21,360 deaths were registered, compared with 79,053 and 21,145 respectively in 1972. These figures, when adjusted for under- registration, give a natural increase in population for 1973 of about 61,007. Illegiti- mate births registered during the year totalled 4,111 compared with 1,058 in 1972.
A birth which has not been registered within one year may be post-registered with the consent of the Registrar and on payment of a fee of $15. During the year