ENG-1968 — Page 339

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Population

THE total estimated population of the Colony at the end of 1968 was 3,971,500. About 98 per cent could be described as Chinese on the basis of language and place of origin.

The population, from about 600,000 at the end of the Japanese occupation, grew rapidly and at the 1961 census was 3,133,131, including 3,483 transients. The 1966 census showed the total population to be 3,716,400, including 3,787 transients. During 1968 the population increased by 93,800 to reach the estimated total of 3,971,500. This increase is made up of 66,000 excess of births over deaths, plus an inward balance of migration estimated at 27,800.

Urban Population. At the time of the 1966 census, 31,405 persons, excluding transients, claimed to originate from Common- wealth countries outside Hong Kong. Of these, 26,065 resided in the urban area. According to information provided by the Aliens' Registration Office for non-Chinese alien residents (excluding visitors staying for periods of less than three months and children under 16 years old) the figure at the end of 1968 was 13,807. The largest groups were: American 4,705, Portuguese 2,012, Japanese 1,452, German 676, Dutch 485, French 451, Italian 351.

Approximately 55 per cent of the urban population is now of Hong Kong birth. Most of these and the greater part of the immigrant population originate from Kwangtung province. The urban Chinese population also includes a Fukien community and overseas Chinese whose families originally came from Kwangtung or Fukien.

New Territories. Cantonese, Hakka, Tanka and Hoklo make up the indigenous population of the New Territories. The Cantonese and Hakka groups are traditionally land-dwellers whereas the Tanka and Hoklo groups are traditionally boat-dwellers. These people differ from each other in physical appearance, dress and