TNAG-0434-FCO40-499-UK-interest-in-labour-and-social-affairs-of-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 77

It is expected that Hong Kong's population will reach about 4.9 million by 1981 and that the estimated population increase and the pro- portion of people of working age will be as follow:-

table 16

1966 1971

1976 1981

increase (1966–1981)

estimated population

3.7

3.9

4.4

4.9

+32%

in millions

population of

2.1

2.4

2.8

3.2

+52%

working age (15-64

years) in millions

The economically active population of 1.65 million people in 1971 is 42 per cent of the total population. It has been estimated that the economically active population will grow to 2.24 millions by 1981. The growth by quinquennial periods is summarised below:-

table 17

estimated number of economically active persons in millions

1961

1966

1971

1976

1981

males

0.86

0.97

1.09

1.30

1.50

females

0.35

0.48

0.56

0.65

0.74

total

1.21

1.45

1.65

1.95

2.24

22