Worker influx lifts Hong Kong population as birth slump worsens

Hong Kong’s demographic challenges are intensifying as births fall further while the city relies more on imported workers. Provisional estimates released Aug. 18 by the Census and Statistics Department show the population rose 0.3% from 2025 to more than 7.5 million by mid-2026, driven by newcomers. Births plunged 15.6% to 29,700, the lowest since records began in the 1960s. The government said the increase reflects talent and labour attraction measures that offset the natural decline, though deaths exceeded births. The city has been paying HK$20,000 (S$3,250) to permanent residents for each baby born between October 2023 and October 2026.