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Chapter 20
Population and Immigration
Hong Kong continued to attract large numbers of visitors in 2010, with the Immigration Department handling 241 million inbound and outbound movements, 8 per cent up on the previous year. The city's magnetic attraction is due largely to its world-class tourism facilities, a liberal visa policy, excellent infrastructure, open business environment and strategic location in China and Southeast Asia.
The provisional figure for the population of Hong Kong at the end of 2010 was 7 097 600, or 0.9 per cent up on the previous year. This was due to 46 900 more births than deaths and a net inflow of 17 200 residents. Over the period 2005- 2010, the average annual growth rate of the population was 0.7 per cent.
The birth rate1 in 2010 was estimated at 13 per 1 000, higher than the 12 per 1 000 in 2009. There was little change in the death rate2 which was about five to six per 1 000.
The under-15 age group shrank from 14 per cent in mid-2005 to 12 per cent in mid-2010, while the 65 and over age group grew from 12 per cent in mid-2005 to 13 per cent in mid-2010. Correspondingly, the population's median age rose from 39.2 years to 41.1 years during the same period.
The overall dependency ratio of people aged under 15 and those aged 65 and over, to the working age group of people aged between 15 and 64, dropped from 360 per 1 000 in mid-2005 to 334 per 1 000 in mid-2010.
Immigration Department
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is a separate travel area with autonomy over its immigration policy. In accordance with the Basic Law, the HKSAR Government exercises immigration controls over entry into, stay in and
1 The birth rate refers to the number of known live births occurring in a calendar year per
thousand mid-year population.
2
The death rate refers to the number of known deaths occurring in a calendar year per thousand mid-year population