Hong Kong Government Outlines Population Growth Strategy to Support Sustainable Development
Aiming to bolster its workforce, the Hong Kong government focuses on increasing the population with strategic land use and targeted talent attraction measures.
Hong Kong’s government is actively addressing the need for population growth to support sustainable socio-economic development and enhance its competitiveness.
In a recent response to the Legislative Council, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun, discussed ongoing measures and future plans to meet the city's growing population needs.
Population Growth Targets and Measures
According to Hong Kong's latest population projections, the city’s population is expected to reach 8.19 million by 2046.
With an aging population, the government is seeking to address the challenges posed by a shrinking workforce, with the number of elderly residents projected to make up 36% of the population by 2046.
In response, the government has set out a series of strategic policies aimed at attracting and nurturing local talent while bringing in qualified overseas workers to help fill the labor gap.
The government has already launched proactive measures to attract talent, receiving over 430,000 applications under various talent admission schemes by the end of 2024.
Over 270,000 applications have been approved, with over 180,000 skilled professionals having already arrived in Hong Kong.
This initiative seeks to combat the workforce shortage caused by an aging population and low birth rates.
Urban Planning for a Growing Population
As part of Hong Kong 2030+, the city’s long-term spatial planning strategy, the government has allocated 7,300 hectares of land to accommodate population growth and housing needs through 2048.
This plan includes the construction of one million new housing units, catering to both new residents and the redevelopment of aging buildings.
The strategic land reserve aims to provide flexibility in the city's capacity to absorb further population increases, including those driven by talent attraction initiatives.
Despite the long-term land-use planning outlined in the Hong Kong 2030+ report, the government is not planning to initiate new studies on land use at this stage.
Instead, it will closely monitor ongoing development trends and adjust plans as needed to accommodate changing demographics and economic conditions.
Coordinating Population Policy Initiatives
The government has emphasized that population-related policies fall under various policy bureaus, with regular reviews and adjustments made based on demographic trends.
The Human Resources Planning Commission (HRPC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, plays a crucial role in coordinating and overseeing these initiatives.
Since its formation in 2018, the HRPC has brought together stakeholders from across sectors to examine the country’s human resource needs and make informed policy recommendations.
Though population policy remains a key priority, the government currently has no plans to establish a dedicated inter-departmental team for this purpose, as it believes that the existing HRPC structure is effective in addressing these challenges.
Hong Kong’s approach to population growth is multi-faceted, balancing talent attraction, long-term urban development, and the efficient use of existing resources to ensure the city’s continued prosperity and competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world.
In a recent response to the Legislative Council, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun, discussed ongoing measures and future plans to meet the city's growing population needs.
Population Growth Targets and Measures
According to Hong Kong's latest population projections, the city’s population is expected to reach 8.19 million by 2046.
With an aging population, the government is seeking to address the challenges posed by a shrinking workforce, with the number of elderly residents projected to make up 36% of the population by 2046.
In response, the government has set out a series of strategic policies aimed at attracting and nurturing local talent while bringing in qualified overseas workers to help fill the labor gap.
The government has already launched proactive measures to attract talent, receiving over 430,000 applications under various talent admission schemes by the end of 2024.
Over 270,000 applications have been approved, with over 180,000 skilled professionals having already arrived in Hong Kong.
This initiative seeks to combat the workforce shortage caused by an aging population and low birth rates.
Urban Planning for a Growing Population
As part of Hong Kong 2030+, the city’s long-term spatial planning strategy, the government has allocated 7,300 hectares of land to accommodate population growth and housing needs through 2048.
This plan includes the construction of one million new housing units, catering to both new residents and the redevelopment of aging buildings.
The strategic land reserve aims to provide flexibility in the city's capacity to absorb further population increases, including those driven by talent attraction initiatives.
Despite the long-term land-use planning outlined in the Hong Kong 2030+ report, the government is not planning to initiate new studies on land use at this stage.
Instead, it will closely monitor ongoing development trends and adjust plans as needed to accommodate changing demographics and economic conditions.
Coordinating Population Policy Initiatives
The government has emphasized that population-related policies fall under various policy bureaus, with regular reviews and adjustments made based on demographic trends.
The Human Resources Planning Commission (HRPC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, plays a crucial role in coordinating and overseeing these initiatives.
Since its formation in 2018, the HRPC has brought together stakeholders from across sectors to examine the country’s human resource needs and make informed policy recommendations.
Though population policy remains a key priority, the government currently has no plans to establish a dedicated inter-departmental team for this purpose, as it believes that the existing HRPC structure is effective in addressing these challenges.
Hong Kong’s approach to population growth is multi-faceted, balancing talent attraction, long-term urban development, and the efficient use of existing resources to ensure the city’s continued prosperity and competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world.
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