China News Service, Hong Kong, August 7 (Reporter Han Xingtong) The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Maobo, said in a speech at the Fifth Golden Age Summit on the 7th that Hong Kong's population is facing a rapid aging. He believes that the aging population will bring various challenges to the society, but also bring opportunities for the silver market.
Chen Maobo said that Hong Kong's population is rapidly aging. At present, there are 1.35 million people 65 years of age or older, accounting for nearly 20% of the total population. About 1 in 5 Hong Kong residents is an elderly person 65 or older. According to estimates by the Census and Statistics Department, in 20 years, the population over 65 is expected to rise to more than 2.5 million, accounting for about 30% of the total population of Hong Kong at that time. That is, about 1 in 3 Hong Kong residents is 65 or over.
He pointed out that the aging population will bring challenges to the society in various aspects such as medical care, housing, and social welfare, as well as opportunities for the silver market. The SAR government and all sectors of society need to plan ahead, think about how to respond and how to seize opportunities.
Chen Maobo said that the SAR government has always attached great importance to the welfare of the elderly. In 2018-19, the SAR government invested a total of HK$87.4 billion in various recurrent expenditures on the elderly, including social welfare, medical services and social security, which accounted for the overall government Recurrent expenditure exceeds 20%.
He also said that the SAR government also encourages the elderly to continue to actively participate in social activities. Since 2007, the SAR government and the Elderly Commission have cooperated to implement the "Elderly Academy Program". In addition to more traditional courses such as computers and Chinese, there are also "mobile classes", lawn bowls, and astronomical stargazing. Currently, various tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools have set up about 170 senior academies, providing more than 10,000 study places each year.
In addition, the Social Welfare Department’s "Activity Program for the Elderly" since its implementation in 1998-99 has funded about 5,800 district activities, such as inter-generational inclusiveness and volunteer activities. The total number of participants exceeded 3.4 million, and some elderly people were more actively participating. Planning of related activities. (Finish)