Hong Kong Planning Department published Friday a report on the latest projections of local population distribution over the next 10 years.
The report, entitled "Projections of Population Distribution, 2003-2012," was made with respect to the projected total local population of Hong Kong as prepared and released by the Census andStatistics Department in May 2002.
According to the latest projections, Kowloon will experience faster population growth than both the New Territories and Hong Kong Island. Its population will increase by 17 percent to reach 2.37 million, taking up about 31 percent of the total population in 2012 as compared to 30 percent in 2002.
The report said that within the New Territories, population in the New Towns will increase by 12 percent to reach 3.49 million in2012, accounting for 46 percent of the total population. Population in other areas of the New Territories will grow much faster, by 21 percent, although it will represent just 6 percent of the total population. Hong Kong Island's share of the population will drop from 19 percent in 2002 to 17 percent in 2012.
According to the report, the proportion of young population aged 14 or under is projected to drop rapidly in the New Towns from 17.9 percent in 2002 to 13.8 percent in 2012, though it will still be higher than the rest of Hong Kong. In contrast, Kowloon will continue to have the highest proportion of old people, aged 65 or above, as compared with other regions.