TNAG-0249-FCO40-285-Effect-of-entry-of-UK-into-EEC-on-exports-from-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 109

NOTHING TO BE Written IN THIS MARGIN

W(B)L 51-7406

HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

I The Economic Situation

The population of Hong Kong has

increased from about (600,000 after the War

to some 4 million now. Although the

immigration from China is now controlled

population is increasing by 21 to 3 per cent

a year and is expected to reach 5 million by 1980./The overwhelming majority live

on Hong Kong island or in Kowloon, though

11/12ths of the area of the Colony is

accounted for by the New Territories, the

the

lease for which expires in 1997

1997./ Half the population is under (21) years of age. There

is thus an imperative need to improve the

facilities for technical education and to

increase employment facilities for the large

number of school leavers who will require

to be absorbed in industry. 47 per cent

of the working population are employed in

industry. Although there are no reliable

statistics, it is believed that unemployment

has been kept reasonably low, and there is

now developing a shortage of skilled workers.