Quick facts
Hong Kong population overview
Hong Kong is the 34th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 7,396,223 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.5% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 93 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 38,460 births (5.2 per 1,000 people) and 59,170 deaths (8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 12,574 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,094,840 in 1960 to 7,498,900 in 2025 — a change of +142.3%, or +1.4% per year on average. It peaked at 7,536,100 in 2023 and has declined 2.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 47.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 85.9 years; women have on average 0.8 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 10.3% of residents are under 15 and 23.7% are 65 or older (2025); 100% of people live in urban areas (2025).
Hong Kong covers 1,110 km², giving a population density of about 6,639 people per km². GDP was $427.31B in 2025 — about $56,983 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Hong Kong population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 7,369,090 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 7,396,223 |
| World rank | #106 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #34 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.089% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.5% |
| Births per year est. | 38,460 |
| Deaths per year est. | 59,170 |
| Net migration per year est. | -12,574 |
| Birth rate | 5.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 81.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 47.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 85.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 0.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 100% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,110 km² |
| Population density | 6,639 per km² |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $427.31B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $56,983 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Hong Kong population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 7,369,090 | – | – |
| 2025 | 7,498,900 | -25,200 | -0.3% |
| 2024 | 7,524,100 | -12,000 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 7,536,100 | +190,000 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 7,346,100 | -67,000 | -0.9% |
| 2021 | 7,413,100 | -67,900 | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 7,481,000 | +189,700 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 7,291,300 | +267,100 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 7,024,200 | +211,000 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 6,813,200 | +148,200 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 6,665,000 | +508,900 | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 6,156,100 | +451,600 | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 5,704,500 | +248,300 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 5,456,200 | +393,100 | +1.5% |
| 1980 | 5,063,100 | +601,500 | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 4,461,600 | +502,600 | +2.4% |
| 1970 | 3,959,000 | +361,100 | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 3,597,900 | +503,060 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 3,094,840 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Hong Kong
Population over time
- From 3,094,840 in 1960 to 7,369,090 today — up 138.1%.
- Population peaked at 7,536,100 in 2023 and is down 2.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 85.4 years (2024), up 19.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 0.8 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 4.9 births vs 7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 2.1 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 10.3% of the population is under 15 and 23.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 34.62 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 47.55 Mt in 2014 — down 27.2% since.
- Per person: 4.6 t in 2024, vs 2.41 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,517.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 7.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 0.4% of final energy in 2021 (+0.2 points since 1990).
Urban population (% of total)
- 100% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 85.2% in 1960 (+14.8 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Economy
- GDP: $427.31B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 38.1% since 2015.
- That works out to $56,983 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 95.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 364.8 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Hong Kong in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Hong Kong in 2026?
As of October 2026, Hong Kong has an estimated population of 7,369,090. The United Nations estimated 7,396,223 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Hong Kong growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.5% per year — roughly 93 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 38,460 births and 59,170 deaths, with net migration of -12,574.
What is the population density of Hong Kong?
About 6,639 people per square kilometre: 7,369,090 people living on 1,110 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Hong Kong?
The median age is 47.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 85.9 years. 10.3% of the population is under 15 and 23.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Hong Kong rank by population?
Hong Kong is the 106th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 34th in Asia, with 0.089% of the global population.
How has the population of Hong Kong changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,094,840; by 2025 it had grown to 7,498,900 (+142.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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ParaguaySources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.