Young People Leaving in Droves

Ming Pao's chart showing departure statistics

There is further evidence that a slew of young people have left Hong Kong for good.

Political economist and sociologist Hung Ho-fung posted a chart from Ming Pao listing the various age groups and how many have departed Hong Kong from December 2021 and June this year.

No surprise those in the 15 to 19 years group and 20 to 24 years group have seen the biggest departures at 11.8 percent and a whopping 23.4 percent respectively.

This is only a short time period and he believes there will be many more sending underaged kids overseas for school or fresh grads leaving this summer (that ends labour day, September 5 in North America).

He sarcastically adds: "I bet most of them have left for the great opps [opportunities] in the Greater Bay Area. Horray!"

Other age groups saw a drop:

25-29 (8.6 percent)

30-34 (2.1 percent)

35-39 (5.2 percent)

But for those 40 and older, that age group somehow increased.

40-44 (0.9 percent)

50-54 (4.5 percent)

60-64 (4.5 percent)

65 and above (12.5 percent)

In time we will find out where all these people have gone in the respective countries' census counts, and Canada is now more sensitive about finding out exactly where all the ethnically Chinese people came from, including an option for Hong Kong and mother tongue as Cantonese.

The Hong Kong government cannot frame this as a minor or temporary blip. These are permanent moves by people who are voting with their feet and wanting to have a better life elsewhere even if it means a big sacrifice of leaving the city they love so much.