1. Population Aging in Hong Kong: Opportunities and Challenges
Terry Lum
Director, Sau Po Centre on Ageing
Associate Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration
The University of Hong Kong

2. Aging Quiz True or false:
The 2011 Census found that 20% of HK residents were 65 years or older?
Most elderly people are either living alone or with spouse only?
Most older people in HK are poor?
4% of elderly people in HK were living in nursing home?

3. Is population aging a problem?
Myth: Population aging is a social problem….
The truth is…...population aging is not a problem. The problem is, the way we structure our society cannot adequately respond to the changing population dynamics

4. The population is aging
According to the 2011 Census, 13.3% of HK residents (941,312 people) were 65 years or older
The median age was 41.7
The oldest old is the fastest growing subgroup, increased by 103% between
2001 %
2011
Dif
Soon to be old
502,042
7.5%
922,635
13.8%
420,593
83.8%
Young old
458,254
6.8%
464,740
6.9%
6,486
1.4%
Old-Old
227,071
3.4%
351,233
5.2%
124,162
54.7%
Oldest-Old
61,727
0.9%
125,339
1.9%
63,612
103.1%
Total60+
1,000,849
14.9%
1,350,878
19.1%
350,029
35.0%
Total65+
747,052
11.1%
941,312
13.3%
194,260
26.0%
Total pop
6,708,389
100.0%
7,071,576
363,187
5.4%

5. Population Aging in HK
Source: Hong Kong Population Projections : Census and Statistics Department, The Government of the HKSAR

6. Family support is strong.
57% - 62% were living with family
14% - 26% were living with spouse
11% - 19% were living alone
Spouse
Family member
Living alone
Non-family member
Total
55-65
147,231
16%
673,337
75%
68,308 8%
5,617 1%
894,493
Young old
15,315
26%
276,215
62%
50,070
11%
3,066
444,666
Old old
79,821
25%
183,042
57%
51,369
7,629 2%
321,861
Oldest Old
13,603
14%
56,133
60%
17,937
19%
6,483 7%
94,156

7. Many were not born in HK Most older people are immigrants and refugees
Immigrant community:
Self reliance
Don’t trust the government
Limited assets / economic resources
Limited social support
Born HK %
Born China
Born other
55-64
479,704
52%
402,341
44%
40,590 4%
922,635
Young old
114,587
25%
323,376
70%
26,777 6%
464,740
Old-Old
74,555
21%
266,894
76%
9,784 3%
351,233
Oldest-Old
24,927
20%
98,121
78%
2,291 2%
125,339

8. Many had no formal education
74% of the oldest old had no formal education
Among the young old, 64% had primary school or below education
No formal
Education %
Primary
School
Secondary
Post-secondary
Total
55-64
202,266
22%
270,998
29%
345,084
37%
104,287
11%
922,635
Young old
179,644
39%
114,122
25%
122,212
26%
48,762
10%
464,740
Old old
223,643
64%
64,625
18%
44,743
13%
18,222 5%
351,233
Oldest old
92,351
74%
18,151
14%
11,609 9%
3,228 3%
125,339

9. Elderly poverty rate is high
17.3% of all 65 years or older were receiving CSSA in 2010
14.3% of all 60 years or older

10. Too many are in nursing homes
Institutionalization rate
# bed / 1000 elderly people
Hong Kong
6.8% (2009)
66.7
China
1.0% (2008)
8.4
Taiwan
2.0% (2009)
27.0
Japan
3.0% (2006)
26.3
Singapore
2.3% (2006)
28.6
Australia
5.4% (2006)
58.8 UK
4.2% (2004)
18.2
USA
3.9%(2004)
43.5
Sources: The University of Hong Kong

11. Challenges
No comprehensive social security system (income protection after retirement)
Housing & city designs – not able to meet the needs of the older population
Imbalance in the LTC system

12. Opportunities Current elderly vs. soon to be old Productive aging
Silver hair market
Civic engagement of older people