Hong Kong is one of the regions with the highest percentage of female population in the world, with approximately 54.9% of its population being female. This phenomenon is the result of a combination of social, economic, and demographic factors. Below, we will examine the main reasons behind Hong Kong's high female population ratio in detail.
Current Status
of Female Population Ratio in Hong Kong (2024 Data)
|
Rank |
Country/Region |
Female
Population Percentage |
|
1st |
Hong Kong |
54.9% |
|
2nd |
Macao |
58.9% |
|
3rd |
Moldova |
54% |
|
4th |
Latvia |
53.7% |
|
5th |
Armenia |
58.6% |
Main Reasons for
Hong Kong's High Female Population Ratio
1. Gender
Imbalance at Birth
|
Year |
Male Birth
Ratio |
Female Birth
Ratio |
|
2020 |
48.5% |
51.5% |
|
2021 |
48.3% |
51.7% |
|
2022 |
48.1% |
51.9% |
Hong Kong has
traditionally shown a preference for female births, and in recent years, the
male birth rate has been gradually declining. This is attributed to the
weakening gender preferences as education levels have risen.
2. Significant
Increase in Female Life Expectancy
|
Gender |
Average Life
Expectancy (2023) |
|
Male |
82.3 years |
|
Female |
87.8 years |
The life
expectancy of women in Hong Kong is 5.5 years longer than that of men,
resulting in a significantly higher proportion of women in the elderly
population. This is due to a combination of Hong Kong's excellent healthcare
system and women's health management habits.
3. Economic
Factors and Immigration Patterns
|
Category |
Details |
|
Foreign Domestic Helpers |
Approximately 340,000 (over
90% female) |
|
Female Professional
Immigrants |
Influx of female
professionals in finance and education sectors |
|
Male Overseas Employment |
Outflow of male workers to
mainland China or other countries |
As Asia's
financial hub, Hong Kong attracts many female professionals, and a large number
of female domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia also migrate to
the region.
4. Gender Gap in
Education Levels
|
Category |
Female Higher
Education Completion Rate |
Male Higher
Education Completion Rate |
|
Ages 25-34 |
78% |
72% |
|
Ages 35-44 |
65% |
60% |
In Hong Kong,
women's education levels are generally higher than men's, leading to more
highly educated women entering the workforce.
5. Changes in
Marriage and Birth Patterns
|
Indicator |
2000 |
2023 |
|
Average Age at First
Marriage (Women) |
28.1 years |
32.4 years |
|
Fertility Rate |
1.04 |
0.87 |
|
Percentage of Single Women |
18% |
34% |
The average age
of marriage for women in Hong Kong has risen significantly, and the proportion
of women choosing to remain single has increased, impacting the population
structure.
Future Outlook
for Hong Kong's Gender Population Structure
Hong Kong's female
population ratio is expected to remain at its current level or even increase in
the coming years. This is due to the continuing trend of aging and the
expansion of women's participation in society. However, changes in government
population policies or large-scale immigration could also lead to fluctuations.
Hong Kong's high female population ratio
is more than just a statistical figure—it reflects the social structure and
cultural characteristics of the region. This demographic feature is likely to
have a lasting impact on various areas such as Hong Kong's labor market,
welfare policies, and family structure in the future.
