ENG-2011 — Page 496

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Chapter 20

Population and Immigration

Hong Kong continued to attract large numbers of visitors in 2011, with the Immigration Department handling 253 million inbound and outbound movements, 5.16 per cent up on the previous year. The city's 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 East Asia.

The provisional figure for the population of Hong Kong at the end of 2011 was 7 103 700, or 0.7 per cent up on the previous year. This was due to 54 000 more births than deaths. Over the period 2006-2011, the average annual growth rate of the population was 0.6 per cent.

The birth rate1 in 2011 was estimated at 14 per 1 000, higher than the 13 per 1 000 in 2010. There was little change in the death rate2 which was about six per 1 000.

The under-15 age group shrank from 14 per cent in mid-2006 to 12 per cent in mid-2011, while the 65 and over age group grew from 12 per cent in mid-2006 to 13 per cent in mid-2011. During the same period, the population's median age rose from 39.6 years to 41.7 years.

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 354 per 1 000 in mid-2006 to 333 per 1 000 in mid-2011.

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.