Decoding Hong Kong: The Power of the Population Census
Imagine conducting a comprehensive “full-body scan” of Hong Kong — not of its buildings and highways, but of its people. Where should we begin? That’s precisely the role of a population census. The population census is a large-scale statistical project designed to capture a clear snapshot of Hong Kong population structure, illustrating “where we live” and “how we live”.
Far more than just a headcount, a population census collects benchmark data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Census data provide crucial reference for policy formulation, business decisions and academic research. Given its unmatched scale which far exceeds other regular household surveys, it can provide precise statistics for small areas or specific community groups.
Three key uses of census data
1. To form a complete picture of Hong Kong population
Without accurate data on the number of households and the trend of population ageing in Hong Kong, how can we project the future housing or healthcare needs? Census data are essential for understanding the complete picture of Hong Kong population. They also serve as the major data source for population and household projections. The projection results provide important references for formulating public policies in various areas such as housing, healthcare, manpower planning, etc.
2. To provide population profiles at district level
Census data not only provide overall figures of Hong Kong population, such figures can also be broken down to different geographical levels, from the 18 District Council districts down to individual major housing estates. These data are invaluable references for community planning, helping the Government to design public facilities, transport links and social services that truly match the needs of each community.
3. To present population profiles of different groups of people
Census data also present the demographic profiles of specific population groups. This helps us gain deeper insights into the circumstances of groups such as the elderly, youth, ethnic minorities, single-parent families and residents of subdivided units. It provides a solid data foundation for policy research in related fields — from planning elderly care services, allocating educational resources, to drafting ethnic minority support measures, etc.
The 2026 Population Census is now underway. Your support and participation are greatly appreciated. Let us work together to contribute to Hong Kong’s future development.
For more information, please visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census: www.census2026.gov.hk.
ZHANG Jiacheng, Jeffrey
Statistician
11 February 2026