Mainland Migration Stabilizes Hong Kong Population | Generated by AI
Migration from Mainland China to Hong Kong: Recent Years (2020–2024)
Migration from Mainland China to Hong Kong primarily occurs through the One-way Permit scheme, which allows permanent settlement mainly for family reunification (with an annual quota of around 50,000, though actual inflows vary due to processing and external factors like COVID-19). This has been the steadiest channel, contributing to population stabilization amid outflows and natural decline. In recent years, inflows have rebounded post-pandemic, averaging about 26,000 annually from 2020–2024.
Additional inflows come via talent and work visa schemes (e.g., Top Talent Pass Scheme, launched in late 2022), which are often temporary but can lead to permanent residency. Over 2023–2024, approximately 270,000 work visas were approved across schemes, with about 75% (roughly 202,500) going to Mainland Chinese nationals. Of these, the Top Talent Pass Scheme alone approved over 90,000 visas, 95% from the Mainland (around 85,500). These talent inflows, combined with One-way Permits, helped drive a net immigration of 174,000 people from mid-2022 to mid-2023, largely from the Mainland.
Annual Inflows via One-way Permits (Permanent Migrants)
| Year | Inflow (persons) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10,100 | Severely impacted by COVID-19 border closures. |
| 2021 | 17,900 | Gradual recovery as restrictions eased. |
| 2022 | 21,200 | Continued rebound. |
| 2023 | 40,800 | Significant increase, nearing quota limits. |
| 2024 | 40,000 | Maintained high levels, offsetting emigration. |
For 2025 (up to mid-year), partial data suggests around 32,000 One-way Permit holders, aligning with ongoing trends. Overall, these flows from the Mainland have countered Hong Kong’s net emigration (e.g., -3,427 in 2023) and low birth rates, stabilizing the population at around 7.53 million in mid-2024 for the first time in a decade.
References
- Year-end population for 2020
- Summary results of 2021 Population Census
- Number of mainland Chinese 1-way permit holders joining Hong Kong schools
- Year-end Population for 2023
- HK population up 0.1% to over 7.53 million in 2024
- Hong Kong’s ‘virtually unchanged’ population stabilises
- Why some mainland Chinese turn their back on HK after getting top talent visas
- Brain Drain and Brain Gain in Hong Kong’s Population Shuffle