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People
The totalpopulationofHongKongnowextends toover7.3millionpeople,withapproximately1.5
millionpeopleresidingonHongKongIslandandafurther2.1inKowloonandtheremainderinthe
New Territories.
Although there are more than 50 different nationalities living in Hong Kong, 94% of the population
isethnicallyChinese,themajority of which ofHakkaandChiuChoworigins.Large numbers of
Hong Kong Chinese residents also hold dual passport status with Canada, Australia, Britain or the
U.S.,andtheymayormaynotspeakChinese.Theremaining5%ofthepopulation iscomposed
of non-ethnic Chinese forming a highly visible group despite their smaller numbers.
The main nationalities among the non-Chinese residents are Filipinos (150,000), Indonesians
(150,000), Americans (60,000), British, French (est. 20,000), Canadians (300,000 many of them
dual passport holders), Indians Thais, Japanese,Australians and Thais. Other major nationalities
represented in Hong Kong are New Zealanders and Malays, plus smaller numbers of Sri Lankan
and Pakistanis.
It is the large international representation of different nationalities living together with the
openness of society that makes Hong Kong such a surprisingly cosmopolitan community. From
Alliance Française to the St. Andrew’s Society, the Japan Society to the India Club, there is
a multitude of groups and associations that celebrate the various national days and provide
business and social interaction.
Religion
Religion in Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of freedom, guaranteed by the Basic Law, which was
signed in 1990 and went into effect in 1997.
90% of Hong Kong’s population practices a mix of local religions, most predominantly Buddhism,
Taoism and Confucianism.
TheChristiancommunityaccounts forabout9%ofthe totalpopulationand isnearlyequally
divided between Catholics and Protestants, although other, smaller communities exist as well,
such as Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Baha’i communities.
Concerns over a lack of religious freedom after the 1997 handover have largely subsided.
Language
Hong Kong’s official language is Cantonese,
the Chinese dialect of Guangdong.The use
of Mandarin (or Putonghua) China’s official
dialect is increasingly on the rise inHong
Kong in recentyears,howeverfornow,all
street signs and notices’ are in both English
and Chinese.
The proficiency of English spoken by bus
/ taxi driver’s tradesmen, service men and
security guards alike can vary in levels,
learning a few Cantonese words can
helpyougetaroundHongKong.Inthe
meantime if you are having problems being
understood search your mind for synonyms
andusethem.Mostlocalslearnedtheir
English from theEnglish,so try to think of
the British equivalent, for example: ‘boot’
for car trunk, ‘petrol’ for gasoline, ‘lift’ for
elevator. If all else fails, call a colleague
or use the Hong KongTaxiTranslator app,
which is veryhandy.