XN000022-1996-11-05 — Page 2

1996 Population By-census summary results announced

The resident population of Hong Kong in March 1996 was 6,218,000, an increase of 722,000 or some 13 per cent over that 10 years ago, according to the results of the 1996 Population By-census.

The results have also shown significant improvements in educational attainment, housing condition and income of the population.

There have also been substantial changes in the geographic distribution of the population and the industrial distribution of the working population.

Announcing the by-census results at a press conference today (Tuesday), the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Frederick Ho Wing-huen, said the population growth was much faster in the second half than the first half of the 10-year period.

He said the annual growth rate averaged 1.8 per cent over the period 1991- 1996, but only 0.6 per cent over the period 1986-1991.

Of the 6,218,000 residents, 6,017,000 were present in Hong Kong at the By- census reference moment (that is 3 am on March 15, 1996) and 201,000 temporarily away from Hong Kong.

Including 83,000 transients and 21,000 Vietnamese migrants, the number of people present in Hong Kong at the by-census reference moment was 6,121,000.

The Commissioner pointed out that there was substantial internal migration of the population during the last decade. While 10 years ago, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories had respectively 22 per cent, 43 per cent and 35 per cent of the population, by now the respective proportions are 21 per cent, 32 per cent and 47 per cent.

"Many districts in the New Territories like Sai Kung, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Sha Tin and North recorded a substantial population growth because of new towns development, whereas old urban districts like Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong experienced substantial population decrease," Mr Ho said.

Meanwhile, the population became older during the last ten years with the median age rising from 28 to 34. This is attributable to mortality improvement and the continuously low fertility rate.

The sex ratio, that is the number of males per 1,000 females, dropped from 1,057 in 1986 to 1,000 in 1996.