Hong Kong, hit by the Epidemic and changes in the political environment, now needs to face the ensuing demographic crisis, according to the Hong Kong government, the population of Hong Kong fell to 7.474 million last year, a decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year; this is related to the first negative population growth of 6,700 people in Hong Kong and a net migration of nearly 50,000 people, the related population loss hit a 35-year record high, more serious than the June 4 incident triggered by the migration wave. Scholar Yip Siu-fai pointed out that the negative population growth of this “death cross” occurred six years earlier than expected, and political factors caused by the influx of immigrants, can not rely solely on people migrating to Hong Kong from China to supplement, urged the Hong Kong government to respond early.
According to the latest population data released by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department on the 18th, as of the end of last year, there are more deaths than births in Hong Kong “death crossover”, the population growth rate of negative 0.089%, so that Hong Kong has entered the era of negative population growth, but also after South Korea and Taiwan, the third region with negative population growth. The University of Hong Kong Department of Social Work and Social Administration Chair Professor Yip Siu-fai wrote in Ming Pao, pointed out that the overall population of Hong Kong is the trend of less children, coupled with the local percentage of male and female singles remain at about 20% to 30%, it can be expected that this low fertility rate, even if the local economy has improved, will not have a great stimulating effect.
On the other hand, the Census and Statistics Department figures show that the net migration of Hong Kong people last year was 49,900 people, while the number of immigrants from China with one-way permits to Hong Kong was only 10,100, breaking the “net migration” record of more people moving in than moving out of Hong Kong in the past nine years, while the “net migration The number of “net migration” is as high as 39,800, which is also a record high in 35 years.
We can only find from the Internet from 1986 to the present thirty-five years of official records, only five years in the past there are more people moving out of Hong Kong than in the “net migration” situation, the number of people ranging from 3,100 to 25,800, are lower than last year’s net migration of 39,800 people. In fact, the loss of population in Hong Kong last year, than in 1990 due to China’s “June 4 incident” after the migration wave is more serious, the net migration of 23,700 people that year.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong government pointed out that the net outflow of population last year was related to the epidemic, which led to the implementation of border controls in various places, resulting in a significant drop in the number of people entering the territory. In addition, the Hong Kong people in foreign countries are also unable to return to Hong Kong.
However, the columnist with the pseudonym “Stock Wing” questioned the Hong Kong government’s claim, pointing out that “a national security law, a series of raids, even the success of the judicial system, but also gradually fragmented, …… capable of sending away Children, there are birth plans are also shelved, the next few years will also be a bear market in the birth rate of Hong Kong.” He also said, “When even the net migration also reversed, the speed and number of go-getters more than ‘seeping sand’, Hong Kong’s population also ushered in the ultimate death cross.”
And is also a non-official member of the Steering Committee on Population Policy, Professor Yip Siu-fai also pointed out that in the face of Hong Kong into the era of negative population growth, and other places continue to recruit immigrants to the local population, the United Kingdom alone in response to the deterioration of the political situation in Hong Kong and the launch of the BNO holders to apply for the “5 + 1” immigration program, the next five years may attract More than 300,000 people immigrate to the country, Hong Kong may only use one-way permit holders as a supplement, which will make Hong Kong’s population development than before the 1997 reunification “greater and more far-reaching impact of the migration wave”.
He continued, according to media reports, the intention to emigrate, there are many medical personnel, if this, the future of the Hong Kong Government even if the continuous construction of hospitals and improve facilities, there is not enough manpower to cope with the increased demand for medical care.
He also dissatisfied with the Hong Kong government’s population policy is too passive, responding to the challenge of low fertility rate, less than Singapore, Taiwan and other places active. He suggested that the authorities increase artificial intelligence to replace labor-intensive jobs, improve manpower training and build a Family-friendly workplace and caring society, all of which are expected to improve the public’s willingness to give birth, stressing that this is the basic responsibility of a pragmatic and livelihood-conscious government.
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