ELDERLY SERVICES IN HONG KONG doc

ELDERLY SERVICES IN HONG KONG

Elderly Population

ƒ The Hong Kong population is ageing. The proportion of the population aged 65 and

over has increased. At the mid of 2008, the population of elderly persons aged

above 65 is 12.6%1 (0.88 million) of the total population in HK. It is estimated that in

2016 and 2033, the percentage will increase to 14% and 27%2

respectively.

ƒ Our seniors are living much longer than before. In 2005, the population of elderly

persons aged 75 or above was around 0.36 million, about 45% of the elderly

population. In 2011, the number will increase to 420,000, which is estimated to be

48% of the elderly population. In 2006, life expectancy of male3 was 79.5 years of

age, and the figure for female was 85.6 years of age. In 2033, the figures are

expected to increase to 82.7 and 88.3 respectively.

ƒ In 2006, the elderly dependency ratio is 168, i.e. every 1,000 employed persons has

to raise 168 elderly persons aged 65 or above. As the elderly population has been

increasing and the birth rate is dropping, the figures are expected to increase to 282 in

2023 and 428 in 2033.

Living Conditions of the Elderly4

ƒ According to the statistic profile from the year of 2001 (222,000) to 2006 (279,400), the

singleton elderly and older couples who live together has increased 26%. Although

most of the elderly persons are still living with their families (around 74.1% of the

elderly population), more and more of them are either living alone (11.6%) or living

with their spouse only (21.2%).

ƒ Most of the elderly persons aged 60 have retired, and only around 12% are still

working in mid 2008. According to a survey conducted in 2006, median earnings of

elderly persons was HK$6,500 per month (median earnings per head in Hong Kong

was HK$10,000), and over 80% of the elderly persons were living on savings. In

2008, over 0.18 million elderly persons aged 60 or above are receiving social security

allowance (17% of the elderly population). In addition, around 483,000 elderly

persons aged 65 or above are receiving old age allowance (55% of elderly persons

aged above 65).

1 The 2006 Population Census - Government's Web Page 2 The 2001 Population Census - estimated figures 3 Life table in Hong Kong (1996-2029) - Census and Statistics Department, December 2000

Updated June 2009 Elderly Services in Hong Kong Page 1

4 Report no.27: Life, Health and Financial Conditions of Elderly Persons and Middle-aged Persons - Census and

Statistics Department 2000