Hong Kong's population declined by 1.2 percent in the last year, including nearly 90,000 more residents departing than moving to the city, figures released Thursday showed, as Beijing cracked down on dissent and the pandemic kept the finance hub sealed off.

The population decrease continues the largest decline since the city began keeping comparable records in 1961 and comes during a period of intense political turmoil.

Mid-year population estimates for 2021 showed Hong Kong's population stands at 7,394,700 -- a decrease of 87,100 (1.2 percent) from the same time last year.

End of year figures for Hong Kong in 2020 also showed a 1.2 percent decline, and Thursday's numbers suggest there has been no respite in the drop-off.&nbsp;

Hong Kong had only once before recorded a year of population decline, by 0.2 percent after the SARS epidemic in 2003.

The city houses a rapidly ageing society with deaths over the last year outstripping births by 11,800.&nbsp;

But the government data also revealed a new cause for population decline -- more residents leaving than arriving.&nbsp;

The figures showed a net outflow of 89,200 Hong Kong residents for the period.&nbsp;

That is over four times higher than the 20,900 outflow recorded for the same mid-year period in 2020.

In 2018 and 2019, Hong Kong recorded an inflow of 8,500 and 23,000 respectively.

Hong Kong has kept coronavirus infections low by closing itself off to non-residents for most of the pandemic.

The move has kept people safe but crippled the travel industry and made it difficult for both residents and expats to see loved ones overseas.

Thousands of Hong Kongers have also packed their bags to escape a broad crackdown on dissent in response to huge and often violent democracy protests two years ago.

Over the spring and summer, the airport witnessed frequent tearful farewells as residents boarded flights, mostly to Britain, which has said it will offer a pathway to citizenship for many Hong Kongers in response to Beijing's crackdown.

The Hong Kong government does not keep official statistics for how many have left the city for good, but figures point to some sort of exodus taking place.&nbsp;

Around 1,500 Hong Kongers on average were leaving via the airport each day in July, up from around 800 in the first half of the year and despite the pandemic throttling international travel.

Early withdrawals from the city's mandatory pension fund -- which can only be made when someone departs permanently -- have also soared in the last 12 months.

Hong Kong's government has repeatedly brushed off the departures, saying many will one day return and those who leave can be replaced with Chinese mainlanders.

Hong Kong previously saw large numbers of residents depart in the run-up to the 1997 handover to China and after Beijing's deadly 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

However, the overall population did not decline and many returned.

Hong Kong's population declined by 1.2 percent in the last year, including nearly 90,000 more residents departing than moving to the city, figures released Thursday showed, as Beijing cracked down on dissent and the pandemic kept the finance hub sealed off.

Hong Kong's population declined by 1.2 percent in the last year, including nearly 90,000 more residents departing than moving to the city, figures released Thursday showed, as Beijing cracked down on dissent and the pandemic kept the finance hub sealed off. The population decrease continues the largest decline since the city began keeping comparable records in 1961 and comes during a period of intense political turmoil. Mid-year population estimates for 2021 showed Hong Kong's population stands at 7,394,700 -- a decrease of 87,100 (1.2 percent) from the same time last year. End of year figures for Hong Kong in 2020 also showed a 1.2 percent decline, and Thursday's numbers suggest there has been no respite in the drop-off. Hong Kong had only once before recorded a year of population decline, by 0.2 percent after the SARS epidemic in 2003. The city houses a rapidly ageing society with deaths over the last year outstripping births by 11,800. But the government data also revealed a new cause for population decline -- more residents leaving than arriving. The figures showed a net outflow of 89,200 Hong Kong residents for the period. That is over four times higher than the 20,900 outflow recorded for the same mid-year period in 2020. In 2018 and 2019, Hong Kong recorded an inflow of 8,500 and 23,000 respectively. Hong Kong has kept coronavirus infections low by closing itself off to non-residents for most of the pandemic. The move has kept people safe but crippled the travel industry and made it difficult for both residents and expats to see loved ones overseas. Thousands of Hong Kongers have also packed their bags to escape a broad crackdown on dissent in response to huge and often violent democracy protests two years ago. Over the spring and summer, the airport witnessed frequent tearful farewells as residents boarded flights, mostly to Britain, which has said it will offer a pathway to citizenship for many Hong Kongers in response to Beijing's crackdown. The Hong Kong government does not keep official statistics for how many have left the city for good, but figures point to some sort of exodus taking place. Around 1,500 Hong Kongers on average were leaving via the airport each day in July, up from around 800 in the first half of the year and despite the pandemic throttling international travel. Early withdrawals from the city's mandatory pension fund -- which can only be made when someone departs permanently -- have also soared in the last 12 months. Hong Kong's government has repeatedly brushed off the departures, saying many will one day return and those who leave can be replaced with Chinese mainlanders. Hong Kong previously saw large numbers of residents depart in the run-up to the 1997 handover to China and after Beijing's deadly 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. However, the overall population did not decline and many returned.

Hong Kong saw net outflow of 90,000 residents over the last year

Hong Kong residents on Wednesday (January 6) expressed shock over police arrests of dozens of leading democratic activists on suspicion of violating the city's controversial security law.

Hong Kong residents shocked by mass arrests

Australia&nbsp;is working on a scheme to provide "safe haven" proposals for Hong Kong residents, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday&nbsp;after China imposed a new national security law on the financial hub.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson had&nbsp;announced officially that his country would offer immigration rights to the people of Hong Kong in the aftermath of China passing the controversial national security law in Hong Kong.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-extends-immigration-rights-to-hong-kongers-on-23rd-anniversary-of-citys-handover-309917">UK extends immigration rights to Hong Kongers on 23rd anniversary of city's handover</a>

Even before the law was formalised, the UK had promised assistance to Hong Kongers if China went ahead with the legislation. As per this promise, those in possession of the British National Overseas passport could live in the UK, and work there. This would pave the way for citizenship.

The law punishes crimes of secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison in Hong Kong, which was guaranteed freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland under a "one country, two systems" formula at its 1997 handover.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/none-of-your-business-china-slams-foreign-critics-over-hong-kong-law-309907">'None of your business': China slams foreign critics over Hong Kong law</a>

China says the law is necessary to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces following anti-government protests that escalated in June last year and plunged the city into its biggest crisis in decades. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the law will not affect Hong Kong's rights and freedoms, nor investor interests.

The passage of the law has drawn international condemnation and more than 300 people on Wednesday&nbsp;were arrested as protesters took to the streets in defiance of the sweeping security legislation.

Australia is working on a scheme to provide "safe haven" proposals for Hong Kong residents, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday after China imposed a new national security law on the financial hub.

Australia is working on a scheme to provide "safe haven" proposals for Hong Kong residents, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday after China imposed a new national security law on the financial hub. On Wednesday, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced officially that his country would offer immigration rights to the people of Hong Kong in the aftermath of China passing the controversial national security law in Hong Kong. Also read: UK extends immigration rights to Hong Kongers on 23rd anniversary of city's handover Even before the law was formalised, the UK had promised assistance to Hong Kongers if China went ahead with the legislation. As per this promise, those in possession of the British National Overseas passport could live in the UK, and work there. This would pave the way for citizenship. The law punishes crimes of secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison in Hong Kong, which was guaranteed freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland under a "one country, two systems" formula at its 1997 handover. Also read| 'None of your business': China slams foreign critics over Hong Kong law China says the law is necessary to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces following anti-government protests that escalated in June last year and plunged the city into its biggest crisis in decades. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly said the law will not affect Hong Kong's rights and freedoms, nor investor interests. The passage of the law has drawn international condemnation and more than 300 people on Wednesday were arrested as protesters took to the streets in defiance of the sweeping security legislation.

After UK's passport plan, Australia working on 'safe haven' proposal for Hong Kong residents

In a major show of support to pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong, UK PM Boris Johnson has announced his intension to overhold British immigration policy to fast track citizenship for Hong Kong residents. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: UK to China, Roll back security law or face visa rules

PM Boris proposes new visa rules for HK: UK backs Hong Kong In a major show of support to pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong, UK PM Boris Johnson has announced his intension to overhold British immigration policy to fast track citizenship for Hong Kong residents. Watch report. #HongKong #BorisJohnson #UK About Channel: The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. Please keep discussions on this channel clean and respectful and refrain from using racist or sexist slurs as well as personal insults. Subscribe to our channel at https://goo.gl/JfY3NI Check out our website: http://www.wionews.com Connect with us on our social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIONews Twitter: https://twitter.com/WIONews Follow us on Google News for latest updates Follow us on Google News for latest updates Zee News:- https://bit.ly/2Ac5G60 Zee Bussiness:- https://bit.ly/36vI2xa DNA India:- https://bit.ly/2ZDuLRY WION: https://bit.ly/3gnDb5J Zee News Apps : https://bit.ly/ZeeNewsApps

PM Boris proposes new visa rules for HK | UK backs Hong Kong | Boris Johnson

Hong Kong residents reacted on Tuesday (September 3) to Spanish fashion brand Zara issuing a statement on Chinese social media expressing support for China's sovereignty over the Asian financial hub.

Fashion brand Zara seeks to distance itself from Hong Kong controversy

hong-kong-residents

Hong Kong Residents, News on Hong Kong Residents, stories on Hong Kong Residents, articles on Hong Kong Residents, Hong Kong Residents stories at Wion, Hong Kong Residents news, Hong Kong Residents latest news