ENG-2017 — Page 357

Chapter 18

Population and Immigration

Hong Kong's population stood at more than 7.4 million in 2017. The territory processed over 290 million entries and departures, up 0.9 per cent from the previous year.

The provisional figure for the population of Hong Kong at the end of 2017 was 7,409,800, or 0.4 per cent up on the previous year. This was due to 10,000 more births than deaths and a net inflow of 22,600 residents. Over the period 2012-17, the average annual growth rate of the population was 0.7 per cent. The birth rate' in 2017 was about eight per 1,000, same as in 2016. The death rate2 also remained unchanged at about six per 1,000.

The under-15 age group in mid-2017 made up 11 per cent of the population, same as in mid- 2012. On the other hand, the age group of 65 and above grew from 14 per cent to 16 per cent. During the same period, the population's median age rose from 42 years to 44 years. The overall dependency ratio3 increased from 335 per 1,000 to 386 per 1,000.

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 on entry into, stay in and departure from the HKSAR by people from foreign states and regions. The Basic Law also contains provisions regulating the entry of people from the Mainland.

Besides exercising immigration control, the Immigration Department provides a wide range of services to residents, including issuing HKSAR identity cards, passports and other travel

1 The birth rate refers to the number of known live births occurring in a calendar year per thousand mid-year population.

2

3

The death rate refers to the number of known deaths occurring in a calendar year per thousand mid-year population.

The overall dependency ratio is the ratio of the number of persons aged under 15 and 65 and over, to the number of persons aged between 15 and 64.

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