The total population size of Hong Kong at the end of 2018, is 7.49 million, of which 45.7% were male and 54.3% were female (Census and Statistics Department, 2019e). The majority of the population falls within the age range of 25-54 years (45.3%), followed by 65 years and over (17.3%), 55-64 years (16.2%), 0-14 years (11.5%) and 15-24 years (9.6%). In particular, the size of population aged 65 years and over is 1.30 million with 46.7% male and 53.3% female (Census and Statistics Department, 2019f).

The population of Hong Kong is ageing rapidly. The population median age increased from 40.0 years in 2007 to 43.9 years in 2017 (Census and Statistics Department, 2018c). Furthermore, it was estimated that it would continue to increase to 50.9 years in 2036 and further to 54.5 years in 2066 (Census and Statistics Department, 2017b).

Along with the trend of population ageing, Hong Kong is also facing an increasing dependency ratio. The total dependency ratio (number of persons aged under 15 and aged 65 and over per 1000 persons aged 15-64) was 386 in 2017 (Census and Statistics Department, 2018c), with a notable projected increase to 844 in 2066 (Census and Statistics Department, 2017b). The old-age dependency ratio (number of persons aged 65 and over per 1,000 persons aged 15-64) was 228 in 2017 (Census and Statistics Department, 2018c), with a notable projected increase to 674 in 2066 (Census and Statistics Department, 2017b).

References:

Census and Statistics Department. (2017b). Hong Kong Population Projections 2017–2066. In: Census and Statistics Department Hong Kong.

Census and Statistics Department. (2018c). Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics 2018 Edition. Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B10100032018AN18B0100.pdf

Census and Statistics Department. (2019e). Table 001: Population by Sex. Retrieved 9 October, 2019, from Census and Statistics Department, , HKSAR https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/showtablenewexcel.jsp?tableID=001&charsetID=1

Census and Statistics Department. (2019f). Table 002: Population by Age Group and Sex. Retrieved 9 October, 2019, from Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/showtablenewexcel.jsp?tableID=002&charsetID=1