Form of Government: China's Special Administrative Region
Area: 1 085 sq km
Population: 7 474 200 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 6 888.66 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 22° N; long. 114° E
Capital:
Currency: Hong Kong dollar (100 cents)
Human development index: 0.949 (rank: 4)
Chief Executive: Carrie Lam, elected 26 March 2017, in office since 1 July 2017
Legislative Council: seats based on the elections of 4 September 2016: pro-PRC parties, 40; democratic parties, 23; localist parties, 6; independent, 1
Internet: www.censtatd.gov.hk (Census and Statistics Department)
Member of APEC, WTO
Hong Kong

GMT +8
DST not applied
Annual average temperature (°C) Hong Kong 22.4
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Hong Kong 15.5/28.5
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Hong Kong 5/6
Annual average precipitation (mm) Hong Kong 2217
Days of rainfall (annual average) Hong Kong 107

The expulsion of four democratic members of the legislative council enforced by the Chinese central government caused all the others to step down as a protest, leaving the body without an opposition. On 27 May 2021, a new electoral law was approved that ratifies Chinese control over Hong Kong institutions. The authorities upped repression to ward out more protest rallies and many activists were arrested.
Government
State system.
Until 1 July 1997, Hong Kong was a British colony, comprising the island of Hong Kong (ceded to Britain by China under the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842), in the South China Sea opposite the south-east coast of China, the Kowloon Peninsula (ceded in 1863) and the territory behind it which, together with 236 largely uninhabited islands, form the so-called New Territories (rented to Britain in 1898 for 99 years). The border with the Chinese province of Guangdong is the River Sham Chun. According to the agreement signed in Beijing on 19 December 1984, on 1 July 1997, Hong Kong was given back to the People’s Republic of China. It was attributed special administrative status, known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and there was a commitment on the part of the PRC to keep the social and economic system as it was under British administration for another 50 years. Under the 2021 electoral reform, the region is governed by a Chief Executive, who is elected for five years by a committee of 1500 members (mostly supporters of the government in Beijing). He appoints the Executive Council (consisting of 32 members, 16 of whom are chosen from among the officials of the institutions with executive functions). There is also a Legislative Council of 90 members, 20 of whom are elected for four years by means of proportional representation, 40 are appointed by a committee controlled by the Chinese government, and 30 are appointed by professional and trade associations.
Administrative division
District | AREA | INHABITANTS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Central and Western | 12.5 sq km | 245 600 inhab. | 2018 |
Eastern | 18$ sq km | 551 400 inhab. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Victoria (Xianggang) | 956 800 | inhab. | 2020 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
Population.
The enclaves of non-Chinese ethnic minorities include groups of Asians (Indonesians and Filipinos) as well as British, US and Australian citizens.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 5.8 | ‰ | 2020 |
Death rate | 6.7 | ‰ | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Chinese | 92.3 | % | 2016 |
Filipino | 2.5 | % | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
nonreligious/atheist | 54.5 | % | 2016 |
Buddhist and Taoist | 27.9 | % | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Cantonese |
Chinese |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 12.8 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 15.1 | % | 2020 |
Economy
The fundamental sector of the economy is the services sector, which provides employment for over two-thirds of the active population. Hong Kong is one of the largest hubs of international trade and also one of Asia’s most important financial centres, with a highly efficient banking system and an important stock exchange. Commercial banks in Hong Kong have been investing heavily in mainland China, especially in the industrial cities of Guangdong (Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhuhai). The per-capita income of Hong Kong is one of the highest in the world. Fishing is an important industry (especially in Shaukiwan and Aberdeen), and fish farms are also widespread. Much of industry is geared to exports, particularly high-quality products with high technological content. After Hong Kong was reunited with China, some of its industrial production facilities were moved to China. Tourism is an important source of income, with most visitors coming from China.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 59.24 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 138.44 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 3 847 646 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 49.4 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 5.8 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 43.5 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 609 300 | M LCU | 2019-20 |
Revenues | 598 700 | M LCU | 2019-20 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 0.2 | % | 2019 |
industry | 13.517 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 0.065 | % | 2019 |
industry | 6.575 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 569.048 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 491 775.722 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 80.39 | % | 2015 |
meadows & pastures | 19.61 | % | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cereals, total | 0$ | 1000 t | 2017 |
rice | 0$ | 1000 t | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
roots and tubers, total | 0.058 | 1000 t | 2019 |
sweet potatoes | 0.058 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 0.621 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cucumbers | 1.873 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 0.3 | 1000 t | 2019 |
peas, green | 0.416 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
copra | 1$ | 1000 t | 2003 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fruits, total | 5.115 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 0.014 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
rice | 0$ | 1000 ha | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sweet potatoes | 0.004 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 0.025 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
cucumbers | 0.101 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 0.031 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
peas, green | 0.058 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 79 261 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 1.579 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 1.905 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
buffaloes | 0.326 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 147.429 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 0.021 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 0.703 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
equines, total | 1.535 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
horses | 1.535 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 1 618 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
eggs | 0.471 | 1000 t | 2019 |
hides and skins | 0.539 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 11 575.1 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 1 294 | t | 2019 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 34 587 | M kWh | 2019 |
non-renewable electricity generation | 99.729 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 12 282 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 0.8 | 1000 kW | 2012 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 34 365 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 12 282 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
watches and clocks | 5 029 000 | no. | 2007 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
notebooks | 9 300 | no. | 2006 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
soap | 1$ | 1000 t | 2004 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cotton fabrics | 199.8 | M m² | 2005 |
cotton yarn | 39.8 | 1000 t | 2007 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 504 000 | pairs | 2004 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 38.948 | 1000 t | 2018 |
coconut oil | 0.354 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
other paper | 180 | 1000 t | 2019 |
paper | 180 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 2 000 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 442.225 | M US$ | 2018 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 1 123.539 | M US$ | 2018 |
Trade
Main exports (M US$ - 2017) electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies 113 098, electrical and electronic equipment 92 527, telecommunications equipment 76 045, gold 52 202, computers and accessories 44 914, machinery 22 539, jewels and precious stones 17 840, diamonds 17 147, optical and electro-medical appliances 17 015, apparel and accessories 13 733, plastics and articles thereof 10 638, watches 8 370, toys and sports equipment 7 316, leather goods 4 771, meat 3 163
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
manufactures | 91.685 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
food products | 2.06 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
China | 304 707 | M US$ | 2020 |
United States | 39 943 | M US$ | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
China | 251 123 | M US$ | 2020 |
United Kingdom | 91 180 | M US$ | 2020 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 26 880 | M US$ | 2019 |
Number of arrivals | 23 752 000 | units | 2019 |
Communications
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 337 700 000 | km flown | 2004 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 46 469.9 | 1000 units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 377.183 | per 1000 pop. | 2019 |
Computers | 693 | per 1000 pop. | 2008 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 17.222 | years | 2019 |
Gradautes, percentage | 25.5 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 376 310 | units | 2019 |
Students, secondary level | 341 388 | units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 16.933 | % of total expenses | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 5.6 | per 1000 pop. | 2020 |
Physicians | 2$ | per 1000 pop. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Tuberculosis (prevalence) | 58$ | per 100 000 pop. | 2008 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 0.863 | % of GDP | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to electricity | 100 | % | 2019 |
Access to improved drinking-water source | 100 | % | 2017 |