This situation is explained by draconian restrictions on the borders to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, but also by the exodus of residents in the face of the repression of the democracy movement.
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Posted on 8/12/2022 7:24 AM Updated on 8/12/2022 7:39 AM
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Hong Kong has seen a significant population decline over the past year, with around 113,200 residents packing up, according to figures released on Thursday (Aug. 11). Mid-year demographic estimates put the city’s population at 7,291,600, down 1.6% from the same period last year. Between mid-2021 and mid-2022, 113,200 residents left the area, a record in a 12-month period since the first census was taken in 1961.
This situation is partly explained by the draconian restrictions at the borders to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, which have “interrupted the flow of people,” a management spokesman said. At the peak of the epidemic that year, departures of residents by air often exceeded 2,000 people a day while arrivals fell to a trickle.
The population decline is also part of a broader trend of the exodus of Hong Kongers, many of whom have chosen to settle overseas in response to Beijing’s crackdown on the pro-democracy movement since 2019. started declining in 2020 and the decline shows no signs of stopping, according to the government. The Hong Kong executive has consistently downplayed these departures, saying many may one day return or be replaced by mainland Chinese residents.