Did you know expats account for 4.6% of the total population in Hong Kong and Indonesia accounts for 26.3% of expats in Hong Kong. Check out our new infographic Hongkong expats in numbers for latest expat statistics and trends. The e-commerce market in Hong Kong is projected to reach USD 6.55 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.40% . Hong Kong ranks high in the business-to-consumer e-commerce sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Hong Kong Expats Population & Distribution:
Estimated Hong Kong Population – 7.188 million
%age of Expats by Nationality
| Nationality | %age |
| Indonesia | 26.3% |
| Philippines | 18.3% |
| China | 14.0% |
| France | 4.3% |
| South Korea | 3.2% |
| India | 2.7% |
| UK | 2.7% |
| Canada | 2.1% |
| Japan | 1.9% |
| Pakistan | 1.8% |
| Others | 22.7% |
%age of expats by their working roles
| Roles | %age |
| Individual Workers | 75% |
| Corporate Transferees | 3% |
| Students | 5% |
| Retirees | 5% |
| Miscellaneous | 11% |
%age of Expats by Age and Occupation
By Gender
| Gender | %age |
| Male | 53% |
| Female | 47% |
By Age
| Age | %age |
| 18-34 | 38% |
| 35-54 | 52% |
| 55+ | 10% |
By Occupation
| Occupation | %age |
| Banking, Insurance, Financial Services | 45% |
| Education | 12% |
| Marketing, Media, Creative | 8% |
| Others | 35% |
Key Statistics:
- Approximately 690,000 expatriates reside in Hong Kong, representing about 10% of the total population.
- Expats come from various countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, India, and many European nations.
- Known for its bustling business district, vibrant nightlife, and upscale dining and shopping options.
- Preferred by many expats for its proximity to the Central business district and numerous international schools.
- Popular among families due to spacious housing options and easy access to international schools.
- Offers a suburban lifestyle with plenty of outdoor activities and a strong expat community, ideal for families.
- As a global financial hub, Hong Kong attracts finance professionals from around the world.
- Many international law firms have a presence in Hong Kong, providing opportunities for legal professionals.
- The tech industry is expanding, with numerous startups and established tech companies offering employment opportunities.
- There is a high demand for teachers, particularly in international schools.
- English is widely spoken, especially in business and government settings, easing the integration for expats.
- Expats can engage in various cultural festivals and events such as Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Numerous expat clubs and organizations facilitate networking and socializing among the expatriate community.
- Be prepared for high living costs, especially for housing. Consider sharing accommodation or living further from the city center to save on rent.
- Hong Kong has a high-quality healthcare system. Expats should consider private health insurance for faster access to services.
- The public transport system is efficient and affordable. Using the MTR, buses, and trams can help you navigate the city easily.
- Learning about local customs and etiquette ensures respectful interactions with locals.
Impact of Hong Kong Expats on the World
Let's explore the impact of expats in Hong Kong on ecommerce and various other sectors worldwide.
- In 2013, over 301,000 expatriates were residing in Hong Kong which is about 0.6% of the world's population of expatriates.
- Hong Kong has one of the world's highest percentages of expatriates, at 4.2% of the total population of the region.
- Hong Kong is actually pretty low in actual number compared to the rest of the globe's expat hubs. The U.S. stands at a staggering 4.79 million, Saudi Arabia, at 8.9 million, and the UAE, at 5.4 million.
- In comparison, Hong Kong has one of the smallest areas in the world, ranking 66th smallest with just 7.1 million in population.
- Although Hong Kong is one of the world's tiniest territories, its proportion of expatriates is among the highest in the world, outranked in Europe only by Switzerland, which has 8% expats in its population.
- Despite its size, Hong Kong's expat proportion is among the highest on the planet only surpassed by Switzerland's 8% expat population in Europe.
- Middle Eastern countries such as Bahrain (50%) Kuwait (35.8%) Oman (32%) and Qatar (71%) have higher percentages of expatriates, but these numbers are influenced by their populations.
- Hong Kong comes in seventh place globally for the proportion of its population being expats.
Here's a breakdown of the expat population by category:
| Expat Category | Percentage |
| Individual Workers | 75% |
| Students | 5% |
| Retirees | 5% |
| Corporate Transfers | 3% |
| Miscellaneous | 11% |
Hong Kong Immigration Statistics
Since Hong Kong has become the home for expats, now let’s took a view on the immigration history of Hong Kong as well.
| Year | Migrant Population | % of Total Population |
| 2022 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2021 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2020 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2019 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2018 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2017 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2016 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2015 | 2,838,665.00 | 38.95 |
| 2014 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2013 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2012 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2011 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2010 | 2,779,950.00 | 39.75 |
| 2009 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2008 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2007 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2006 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2005 | 2,721,235.00 | 39.77 |
| 2004 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2003 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2002 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2001 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2000 | 2,669,122.00 | 39.35 |
| 1999 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1998 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1997 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1996 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1995 | 2,443,798.00 | 39.77 |
| 1994 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1993 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1992 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1991 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1990 | 2,218,473.00 | 38.29 |
| 1989 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1988 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1987 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1986 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1985 | 2,184,333.00 | 0.00 |
| 1984 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1983 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1982 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1981 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1980 | 2,100,549.00 | 0.00 |
| 1979 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1978 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1977 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1976 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1975 | 1,884,492.00 | 0.00 |
| 1974 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1973 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1972 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1971 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1970 | 1,715,474.00 | 0.00 |
