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Population
THE total population at the end of 1982 was 5 287 800, comprising 2 752 300 males and 2 535 500 females. This represents an increase of 27 per cent on the 1972 population estimate of 4 165 500.
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The average annual rate of increase over the 10-year period was 2.4 per cent, with the rate fluctuating from year to year because of changes in migration flows. During the years 1978-80 in particular, there was a large inflow of immigrants from China - both legal and illegal – and an influx of boat refugees from Vietnam. The average annual growth rate increased from 1.8 per cent over the period 1972-7 to 3.9 per cent over the period 1978–80. The average annual growth rate for the years 1981-2 was 1.6 per cent due to a reduction in the inflow of immigrants as a result of a revision of immigration policy-at the end of 1980.
Meanwhile, the rate of natural increase dropped steadily over the period from 14 to 12 per thousand. This was the result of the birth rate declining from 20 per thousand in 1972 to 17
per thousand in 1982, and the death rate remaining stable at about five per thousand. Hong Kong, with a land area of only 1 064 square kilometres, is one of the most densely populated places in the world. The overall density per square kilometre at the end of 1982 was 4923. But this figure conceals wide variations in density between different areas. According to the 1981 Census, the density for the metropolitan areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Kowloon and Tsuen Wan was 28 479 people per square kilometre; but for the New Territories it was 792 per square kilometre. The most densely populated district was Sham Shui Po, with 165 445 people per square kilometre. This situation will, of course, change with the continuation of major development programmes in the New Territories, designed to alleviate the high density in the urban areas and to help provide an increasing population with better housing and an improved living environment.
The age distribution of the population of Hong Kong has changed considerably during the 10-year period. In 1972, 34.8 per cent of the population was under 15; in 1982 the figure was 24.3 per cent. The proportion of those aged 65 and above has risen from 4.8 per cent to 6.9 per cent. As a result of these changes, the proportion of the population of working age (those aged 15 to 64) has increased from 60.4 per cent to 68.8 per cent, indicating that there is a greater potentially productive population available.
The sex ratio of the population has also changed. In 1982, the ratio was 1 085 males to every 1 000 females, compared with 1 037 in 1972. The increase in the proportion of males over females during the 10-year period can largely be explained by the substantial inflow of immigrants, who were predominantly young and male.
Today, people in Hong Kong live longer. The expectation of life at birth for males increased from 68.1 years in 1972 to 71.9 years in 1982, and for females, from 75.6 years to 77.6 years.