Hong Kong
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
East and Southeast Asia
Population
7.31M
Area
1,108 km²
GDP
$407.11B
GDP Per Capita
$66,200
Pop. Density
6,593/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$Hong Kong dollar(HKD)
Calling Code
+852
Timezone
UTC+08:00
Languages
English, Chinese
Driving Side
left
Demonym
Hong Konger
Background
The UK seized Hong Kong in 1841, and China formally ceded it the following year at the end of the First Opium War. The Kowloon Peninsula was added in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War, and the UK obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Pursuant to a UK-China agreement in 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China as of 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic and strict political system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
After the handover, Hong Kong continued to enjoy success as an international financial center. However, growing Chinese political influence and dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Government in the 2010s became central issues and led to considerable civil unrest, including large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 after the HKSAR attempted to revise a local ordinance to allow extraditions to mainland China. In response to the protests, the governments of the HKSAR and China reduced the city's autonomy and placed new restrictions on the rights of Hong Kong residents, moves that were widely criticized as contravening obligations under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Democratic lawmakers and political figures were arrested in a widespread crackdown, while others fled abroad. At the same time, dozens of civil society groups and several independent media outlets were closed or disbanded. In 2021, Beijing imposed a more restrictive electoral system, restructuring the Legislative Council (LegCo) and allowing only government-approved candidates to run for office. The changes ensured that virtually all seats in the 2021 LegCo election went to pro-establishment candidates and effectively ended political opposition to Beijing. In 2024, the LegCo passed a new national security law (Article 23 of the Basic Law) further expanding the Hong Kong Government's power to curb dissent.
After the handover, Hong Kong continued to enjoy success as an international financial center. However, growing Chinese political influence and dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Government in the 2010s became central issues and led to considerable civil unrest, including large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 after the HKSAR attempted to revise a local ordinance to allow extraditions to mainland China. In response to the protests, the governments of the HKSAR and China reduced the city's autonomy and placed new restrictions on the rights of Hong Kong residents, moves that were widely criticized as contravening obligations under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Democratic lawmakers and political figures were arrested in a widespread crackdown, while others fled abroad. At the same time, dozens of civil society groups and several independent media outlets were closed or disbanded. In 2021, Beijing imposed a more restrictive electoral system, restructuring the Legislative Council (LegCo) and allowing only government-approved candidates to run for office. The changes ensured that virtually all seats in the 2021 LegCo election went to pro-establishment candidates and effectively ended political opposition to Beijing. In 2024, the LegCo passed a new national security law (Article 23 of the Basic Law) further expanding the Hong Kong Government's power to curb dissent.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑110.2% since 2006$194B (2006)$407B (2024)
Population
↑9.7% since 20066.9M (2006)7.5M (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 85.2 years2006: 82.4 years2023: 85.2 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates
22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 1,108 sq km
land: 1,073 sq km
water: 35 sq km
land: 1,073 sq km
water: 35 sq km
Area - comparative
six times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total: 33 km
regional borders: China 33 km
regional borders: China 33 km
Coastline
733 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain
hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Elevation
highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Natural resources
outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use
agricultural land
3.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
other
96.2% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
population fairly evenly distributed
Natural hazards
occasional typhoons
Geography - note
consists of a mainland area (the New Territories) and over 200 islands
People & Society28
Population
total: 7,305,556 (2025 est.)
male: 3,367,222
female: 3,938,334
male: 3,367,222
female: 3,938,334
Nationality
noun: Chinese/Hong Konger
adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
Ethnic groups
Chinese 91.6%, Filipino 2.7%, Indonesian 1.9%, other 3.7% (2021 est.)
Languages
Languages: Cantonese (official) 85.4%, English (official) 4.5%, Putonghua (official) 2.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.8%, other 2%, persons under 5 or mute 3.2% (2021 est.)
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Buddhist or Taoist 27.9%, Protestant 6.7%, Roman Catholic 5.3%, Muslim 4.2%, Hindu 1.4%, Sikh 0.2%, other or none 54.3% (2016 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 13.2% (male 505,718/female 459,956)
15-64 years: 64.8% (male 2,123,216/female 2,609,102)
65 years and over: 21.9% (2024 est.) (male 738,878/female 860,951)
15-64 years: 64.8% (male 2,123,216/female 2,609,102)
65 years and over: 21.9% (2024 est.) (male 738,878/female 860,951)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 56.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 35.8 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 2.8 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 35.8 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 2.8 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 47.6 years (2025 est.)
male: 45.3 years
female: 48.6 years
male: 45.3 years
female: 48.6 years
Population growth rate
0.09% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
7.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
1.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population fairly evenly distributed
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.58% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.58% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
7.685 million Hong Kong (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.8 years (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 84 years (2024 est.)
male: 81.3 years
female: 86.8 years
male: 81.3 years
female: 86.8 years
Total fertility rate
1.24 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.6 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: NA
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: NA
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
4.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: urban: 96.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 96.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 3.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 3.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 96.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 3.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 3.5% of population (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
49.8% (2021 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 15.7% national budget (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 15.7% national budget (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 17 years (2023 est.)
male: 17 years (2023 est.)
female: 17 years (2023 est.)
male: 17 years (2023 est.)
female: 17 years (2023 est.)
Government20
Country name
conventional long form
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form
Hong Kong
local long form
Heung Kong Takpit Hangching Ku (Eitel/Dyer-Ball)
local short form
Heung Kong (Eitel/Dyer-Ball)
abbreviation
HK
etymology
probably an imprecise phonetic rendering of the Cantonese name meaning "fragrant harbor"
Government type
presidential limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Dependency status
special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Legal system
mixed system of common law based on the English model and Chinese customary law (in matters of family and land tenure); China's imposition of National Security Law incorporates elements of Chinese civil law
Constitution
history: several previous (governance documents while under British authority); latest drafted April 1988 to February 1989, approved March 1990, effective 1 July 1997 (Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as the constitution)
amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, or the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, approval by two thirds of Hong Kong’s deputies to the NPC, and approval by the Hong Kong chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC
amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, or the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, approval by two thirds of Hong Kong’s deputies to the NPC, and approval by the Hong Kong chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC
Citizenship
see China
Suffrage
18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years
Executive branch
chief of state
President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013)
head of government
Chief Executive John LEE Ka-chiu (since 1 July 2022)
cabinet
Executive Council or ExCo appointed by the chief executive
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); chief executive indirectly elected by the Election Committee and appointed by the PRC Government for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
most recent election date
president: 10 March 2023
chief executive: 8 May 2022
chief executive: 8 May 2022
election results
2022: John LEE was the only candidate and won with over 99% of the vote by the Election Committee
2017: Carrie LAM elected; Election Committee vote - Carrie LAM (non-partisan) 777, John TSANG (non-partisan) 365, WOO Kwok-hing (non-partisan) 21, 23 ballots rejected (1,186 votes cast)
expected date of next election
president: March 2028
chief executive: 2027
chief executive: 2027
Legislative branch
legislature name
Legislative Council or LegCo
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
90
electoral system
20 members directly elected; 70 members indirectly elected
scope of elections
full
most recent election date
7 December 2025
parties elected and seats per party
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) 20, Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Unions (HKFTU) 8, Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) 7, Liberal (LP) 4, New People's Party (NPP) 3, Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW) 2, Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions (HKFLU) 2, Professional Power (PP) 1, Roundtable (RT) 1, New Territories Association of Societies (NTAS) 1, Kowloon West New Dynamic (KWND) 1, Independents 40
expected date of next election
December 2029
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice, 3 permanent judges, and 20 non-permanent judges)
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the Hong Kong Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, an independent body consisting of the Secretary for Justice, other judges, and judicial and legal professionals; permanent judges serve until normal retirement at age 65, but term can be extended; non-permanent judges appointed for renewable 3-year terms without age limit
subordinate courts: High Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and Court of First Instance); District Courts (includes Family and Land Courts); magistrates' courts; specialized tribunals
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the Hong Kong Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, an independent body consisting of the Secretary for Justice, other judges, and judicial and legal professionals; permanent judges serve until normal retirement at age 65, but term can be extended; non-permanent judges appointed for renewable 3-year terms without age limit
subordinate courts: High Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and Court of First Instance); District Courts (includes Family and Land Courts); magistrates' courts; specialized tribunals
Political parties
Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong or BPA
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions or HKFLU
Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers or HKFEW
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions or HKFTU
Kowloon West New Dynamic or KWND
Liberal Party or LP
New People's Party or NPP
New Prospect for Hong Kong or NPHK
New Territories Association of Societies or NTAS
Professional Power or PP
Roundtable or RT
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions or HKFLU
Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers or HKFEW
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions or HKFTU
Kowloon West New Dynamic or KWND
Liberal Party or LP
New People's Party or NPP
New Prospect for Hong Kong or NPHK
New Territories Association of Societies or NTAS
Professional Power or PP
Roundtable or RT
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: none (Special Administrative Region of China)
HKETO offices: New York, San Francisco, Washington DC
HKETO offices: New York, San Francisco, Washington DC
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Consul General Julie EADEH (since August 2025); note - also accredited to Macau
embassy
26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
mailing address
8000 Hong Kong Place, Washington DC 20521-8000
telephone
[852] 2523-9011
FAX
[852] 2845-1598
email address and website
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, BIS, FATF, ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC (NGOs), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO
Independence
none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)
Flag
description: red with a stylized white Bauhinia flower with five petals in the center of the flag; each petal has a tiny five-pointed red star with a fine red line curving toward the center of the flower
meaning: the red color is the same as the Chinese flag and represents the motherland, and the five stars also echo the Chinese flag; the Bauhinia flower was developed in Hong Kong the late 19th century and has come to symbolize the region
meaning: the red color is the same as the Chinese flag and represents the motherland, and the five stars also echo the Chinese flag; the Bauhinia flower was developed in Hong Kong the late 19th century and has come to symbolize the region
National symbol(s)
bauhinia flower
National color(s)
red, white
National anthem(s)
title: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers)
lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er
history: official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China
lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er
history: official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China
Economy27
Economic overview
high-income tourism- and services-based economy; global financial hub; COVID-19 and political protests fueled recent recession; ongoing recovery but lower-skilled unemployment remains high; investing in job-reskilling programs
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $497.88 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $485.541 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $470.42 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $485.541 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $470.42 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 2.5% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 3.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -3.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 3.2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -3.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $66,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $64,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $64,000 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $64,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $64,000 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$407.107 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 1.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 1.9% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 1.9% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0% (2023 est.)
industry: 6.3% (2023 est.)
services: 91.4% (2023 est.)
industry: 6.3% (2023 est.)
services: 91.4% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
67.4% (2024 est.)
government consumption
12.8% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
16.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.5% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
181.7% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-177.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
pork, chicken, spinach, vegetables, pork offal, game meat, beef, fruits, onions, pork fat (2023)
Industries
trading and logistics, financial services, professional services, tourism, cultural and creative, clothing and textiles, shipping, electronics, toys, clocks and watches
Industrial production growth rate
3.4% (2024 est.)
Labor force
3.836 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 2.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.4% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 8.4% (2024 est.)
male: 10.5% (2024 est.)
female: 6.3% (2024 est.)
male: 10.5% (2024 est.)
female: 6.3% (2024 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 11.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024: 0.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues: $70.124 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $105.849 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $105.849 billion (2020 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016: 0.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024: $52.475 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $32.338 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $36.525 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: $32.338 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $36.525 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024: $739.915 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $673.738 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $697.583 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $673.738 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $697.583 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
China 22%, Vietnam 12%, S. Korea 8%, Netherlands 5%, Switzerland 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, integrated circuits, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, jewelry (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024: $723.397 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $671.492 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $682.881 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $671.492 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $682.881 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
China 40%, Taiwan 10%, Singapore 7%, Japan 5%, S. Korea 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, gold, machine parts, jewelry (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $425.554 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $424.03 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $496.867 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $424.03 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $496.867 billion (2021 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
7.804 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
7.83 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
7.831 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
7.773 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
7.757 (2020 est.)
Energy7
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 13.3 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 45.54 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 11.593 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.684 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 45.54 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 11.593 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.684 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 5.567 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 16,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 5.884 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 16,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 5.884 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 96 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 233,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 233,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 5.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 5.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 5.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 116.811 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 3.487 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 27.1 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 365 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 365 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
34 commercial terrestrial TV networks, each with multiple stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; 3 licensed broadcasters, one of which is government-funded, operate about 12 radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.hk
Internet users
percent of population: 96% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 2.97 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2023 est.)
Transportation5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
B-H
Airports
2 (2025)
Heliports
142 (2025)
Merchant marine
total: 2,537 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 1,047, container ship 560, general cargo 144, oil tanker 394, other 392
by type: bulk carrier 1,047, container ship 560, general cargo 144, oil tanker 394, other 392
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
1
medium
0
small
0
very small
0
ports with oil terminals
1
key ports
Hong Kong
Military & Security1
Military and security forces
Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit)
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison is responsible for defense duties; the garrison includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force and are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command (2025)
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison is responsible for defense duties; the garrison includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force and are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command (2025)
Transnational Issues3
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 260 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Hong Kong remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/hong-kong/
Illicit drugs
USG identification:
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)