Earlier Tuesday, Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department released its latest preliminary population figures as of June 30. Here are some charts and data which go over the basic figures and then we'll dive a little deeper into the latest data.

The latest numbers for mid-2026

Hong Kong's population nudged up slightly by 0.26% from last year, to 7,518,300. Looking back in time, the population has hovered around 7.5 million since 2018.

What changed from mid-year 2025 to mid-year 2026? According to the news release on Tuesday, there was a net inflow (immigration & talent schemes & snooker players) of 39,800, plus 29,700 births, minus 50,100 deaths.

Readers of this blog might remember me saying there was an outside shot that births in 2026 would be below 30,000 for the first time since the Second World War. While not a certainty, the odds of that occurring have increased.

Revised numbers for end-Year 2025

In addition to the preliminary figures for mid-2026, the government also revised its population figures as of December 31, 2025, so by official accounts, the population of Hong Kong went up by a mere 8,100 during the year 2025.

I would imagine the Hong Kong government is doing everything it can to keep a positive population rate change mainly through its talent schemes, but unless there is a drastic shift in immigration policy, Hong Kong's population will begin its decline, as the next graph will clearly show.

The upside-down pyramid

To put it in a nutshell, in the last 7½ years, the number of people in Hong Kong that are aged 61 or older have increased by 642,300, while the number of people in Hong Kong that are 60 or younger have decreased by 576,600. Hong Kong has a demographic crisis on its hands, but-- as illustrated in its failed baby bonus scheme-- the government is not taking the issue seriously.

Forget MEGA events, this is ULTRA

Hong Kong became an ultra-aged society (with over 20% of the population aged 65 or higher) in 2024; the percentage is now a record-high 24.40%.

When you have an ultra-aged society you need younger working-age adults to take care of the elderly, but as illustrated earlier there are fewer of them.

Okay, it's getting late. More demographic data, including life expectancy and fertility rates, later in the week.