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 Hong Kong Expats in Numbers for the 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.
Contents
Expats in Hong Kong Infographics
Infographic by GO-Globe Web Design Hong Kong 2026
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 ex-pats 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 ex-pats 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 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 2026
Since Hong Kong has become the home for expats, now let’s take a view on the immigration history of Hong Kong as well.
| Year | Migrant Population | % of Total Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,900,000 | 38.55% |
| 2023 | 2,888,500 | 38.33% |
| 2022 | 2,877,000 | 39.16% |
| 2021 | 2,865,500 | 38.65% |
| 2020 | 2,854,000 | 38.15% |
| 2019 | 2,850,933 | 37.97% |
| 2018 | 2,847,866 | 38.21% |
| 2017 | 2,844,799 | 38.48% |
| 2016 | 2,841,732 | 38.74% |
| 2015 | 2,838,665 | 38.93% |
| 2014 | 2,826,922 | 39.10% |
| 2013 | 2,815,179 | 39.21% |
| 2012 | 2,803,436 | 39.21% |
| 2011 | 2,791,693 | 39.48% |
| 2010 | 2,779,950 | 39.58% |
| 2009 | 2,768,207 | 39.70% |
| 2008 | 2,756,464 | 39.62% |
| 2007 | 2,744,721 | 39.68% |
| 2006 | 2,732,978 | 39.86% |
| 2005 | 2,721,235 | 39.94% |
| 2004 | 2,710,812 | 39.96% |
| 2003 | 2,700,390 | 40.12% |
| 2002 | 2,689,967 | 39.89% |
| 2001 | 2,679,545 | 39.91% |
| 2000 | 2,669,122 | 40.04% |
| 1999 | 2,624,057 | 39.72% |
| 1998 | 2,578,992 | 39.41% |
| 1997 | 2,533,928 | 39.05% |
| 1996 | 2,488,863 | 38.68% |
| 1995 | 2,443,798 | 39.70% |
| 1994 | 2,398,733 | 39.75% |
| 1993 | 2,353,668 | 39.89% |
| 1992 | 2,308,603 | 39.80% |
| 1991 | 2,263,538 | 39.35% |
| 1990 | 2,218,473 | 38.89% |
| 1989 | 2,211,645 | 38.90% |
| 1988 | 2,204,817 | 39.18% |
| 1987 | 2,197,989 | 39.38% |
| 1986 | 2,191,161 | 39.67% |
| 1985 | 2,184,333 | 40.03% |
| 1984 | 2,167,576 | 40.15% |
| 1983 | 2,150,819 | 40.24% |
| 1982 | 2,134,062 | 40.54% |
| 1981 | 2,117,306 | 40.85% |
| 1980 | 2,100,549 | 41.49% |
| 1979 | 2,057,337 | 41.73% |
| 1978 | 2,014,126 | 43.15% |
| 1977 | 1,970,915 | 43.00% |
| 1976 | 1,927,703 | 42.67% |
| 1975 | 1,884,492 | 42.23% |
| 1974 | 1,850,689 | 42.28% |
| 1973 | 1,816,885 | 42.84% |
| 1972 | 1,783,081 | 43.24% |
| 1971 | 1,749,278 | 43.24% |
| 1970 | 1,715,474 | 43.32% |
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