Hong Kong

Demographics

:Main article: Demographics of Hong Kong

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The population of Hong Kong increased markedly during the 1990s, reaching about 6.8 million by 2000. About 96 % of Hong Kong's population is Chinese, the majority of which are Cantonese. Groups such as the Hakka and Teochew are also substantial. Used in government matters, Cantonese is spoken by most of the local Chinese population at home and in the office, although English is also widely understood and spoken by more than one-third of the population. Since the Handover, a new group of immigrants from mainland China have increased the ethnic diversity of the Chinese population in the territory. Consequently, while the colony was ruled by the British for nearly 150 years, its psyche is still firmly Chinese.

Related Topics:
Cantonese - Hakka - Teochew - Cantonese - English - Mainland China - British - Psyche

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The remaining 4 % of the population is composed of non-Chinese, who form a highly visible group, despite their small numbers. These include many Europeans, North Americans, Japanese, and Koreans working in Hong Kong's financial sector. Relatively few British citizens remain, and the majority of the 30,000 British passport holders who currently live in Hong Kong are of Chinese descent.

Related Topics:
Europe - North America - Japan - Korea - British citizen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is also a very important South Asian population, which includes some of Hong Kong's wealthiest families. Some Nepalis residing in Hong Kong are Gurkhas, who chose to stay after their service to Britain, and their descendants. More than 15,000 Vietnamese, who came to Hong Kong as refugees, have become permanent residents, with the majority of whom surviving on casual work. Around 140,000 Filipinos work in Hong Kong as housekeepers, often known locally as amahs, or feiyungs, with other such workers coming from Thailand and Indonesia. On Sundays and public holidays, thousands of these workers, the majority of whom are women, gather in Central to socialise. The top three sources of migration to Hong Kong are the Philippines (132,770), Indonesia (95,460), and the United States (31,330).

Related Topics:
South Asian - Nepal - Gurkha - Vietnam - Refugee - Filipinos - Amah - Sunday - Central - Philippines - Indonesia - United States

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hong Kong is the fifth largest metropolitan area of the PRC by population. Considered as a dependency, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries/dependencies in the world, with an overall density of more than 6,200 people per km². Despite the fact that the government has been actively encouraging locals to have children (Hong Kong does not enforce the one-child policy of China), Hong Kong has a fertility rate of .94 children per woman {{ref|.94}}, one of the lowest in the world, and far below the 2.1 children per woman required to maintain an even population level. However, population is continuously growing due to immigration from mainland China.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan area - PRC by population - Most densely populated countries/dependencies in the world - One-child policy - Fertility rate

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Despite the population density, Hong Kong was reported {{ref|reported}} to be one of the greenest cities in Asia. The majority of people live in flats in high-rise buildings. The rest of the open spaces are often covered with parks, woods and shrubs. About 60 % of the land {{ref|60percent}} is designated as Country Parks and Nature Reserves. Hiking and camping are popular outdoor activities in Hong Kong's hilly country parks. The irregular and long coastline of Hong Kong also provides many bays and fine beaches for its inhabitants. Environmental concern and awareness is growing, however, as Hong Kong also ranks as one of the most (air-)polluted cities in the world.

Related Topics:
Greenest - Flats - High-rise buildings - Country Park - Nature Reserve - Hiking - Camping - Coast - Beach

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~