Hong Kong's population is up 0.5%

According to the Census and Statistics Department, the provisional estimate of Hong Kong’s population was 7,026,400 at end-2009, representing an increase of 37,500 (0.5%) from a year earlier.           

Subtracting the number of deaths (40,200) from the number of births (82,100), the natural increase in population in 2009 amounted to 41,900. The population growth, however, was partially offset by a negative net movement (i.e., inflow minus outflow) of 4,400 residents over the same period.  As a result, the overall population increased a provisional 37,500.           

Births and inflow of One-Way Permit holders (OWPHs) were important constituents of the overall population increase. The number of births, to both residents and nonresidents, represent 219% of the overall population increase. There were 48,600 OWPHs in the same period; the ratio to the overall population increase was 130%.           

The ratio of the number of deaths to the overall population increase was 107%. Excluding the OWPHs, there was a net outflow of 53,000 people, resulting in a ratio of 141% to the population increase.           

The Hong Kong population comprises “Usual Residents” (provisional 6,816,900) and “Mobile Residents” (provisional 209,500).            

Usual Residents include permanent residents who have stayed in Hong Kong at least three months during the six months before or at least three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong at the reference time-point; and nonpermanent residents who are in Hong Kong at the reference time-point.           

Mobile Residents are permanent residents who have stayed in Hong Kong at least one month but less than three months during the six months before or at least one month but less than three months during the six months after the reference time-point, regardless of whether they are in Hong Kong at the time.           

The revised figure for the mid-year population for 2009 was 7,003,700.  The number of Usual Residents was revised to 6,797,700 and the number of Mobile Residents to 206,000. The population growth rate from mid-2008 to mid-2009 was 0.4%.           

It should be noted the population figure does not include visitors. The number of visitors present in Hong Kong at end-2009 was 467,900.           

The latest population figure is provisional; the revised figure will be released in six months.

Team excels at China math competition           

A team of six Hong Kong high school students have achieved the best results for Hong Kong in a China Mathematical Olympiad (CMO), bringing home one gold medal, two silver and three bronze in the CMO 2010, held January 20-25 in Chongqing. It was Hong Kong’s first gold ever in the event.            

The Education Bureau (EDB) and Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) held a ceremony to congratulate the team at the EDB Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre on January 28.            

CMO 2010 was hosted by the China Mathematical Society Olympiad Committee and organized by Chongqing Nankai Middle School. A total of 223 mathematically gifted secondary students on 35 teams participated in the Olympiad, including teams from various mainland provinces, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia and Singapore.            

The CMO aims to enhance and motivate students' learning of mathematics as well as nurture the mathematically gifted. It also serves to step up the exchange of mathematics education among all Chinese provinces and territories.            

Participants also had the opportunity to visit cultural relics and sightsee in Chongqing. The Hong Kong students actively participated in sharing sessions to better acquaint themselves with the Mainland and to boost their sense of national identity.            

Hong Kong team members received training under the Support Measures for the Exceptionally Gifted Students Scheme, which the EDB handed over to the HKAGE in 2008.            

The HKAGE and the International Mathematical Olympiad Hong Kong Committee together provide structured enhancement programs in mathematics to help students develop their full potential. EDB continues to provide full support and sponsorship to Hong Kong teams joining national and international mathematical competitions.