MigrantoMigration trends in Hong Kong
Asia
Hong Kong takes in more people than it loses: 3M immigrants against 1.2M emigrants. Net balance +1.8M — 24% of the country's population
7.5M
Population
3M
Immigrants
1.2M
Emigrants
+1.8M
Inflow
1 in 2 residents of Hong Kong was born abroad — and 1 in 7 people born in Hong Kong lives abroad
#22 in the world by net migration gain
Top corridors
The largest migration flows in Hong Kong
Where people come from
Key moments
How migration has changed since 1990
1990
2M immigrants · 569.3K emigrants
1995
- Canada replaced USA as the main destination for those leaving
2005
- Without migration, the population would have declined
2010
- China replaced Canada as the main destination for those leaving
2015
- The diaspora passed 1M people
2020
- Migration accounted for 63% of the country's population growth
Today
- Since 1990: 1M more foreign-born residents and 671K more emigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
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