Hong Kong's population size edged up 0.4 percent to a little over 7.5 million in 2023, continuing an increasing trend after the pandemic.

The government on Tuesday published a provisional estimate of 7,503,100 SAR residents at the end of last year - up 30,500 from a year before.

This marks the second year in a row that Hong Kong saw its population grow post Covid.

The Census and Statistics Department said there was a net inflow of 51,700, with 79 percent of them one-way permit holders.

A government spokesperson attributed the increase to new arrivals from the mainland and overseas through various admission schemes, as well as local residents who returned after the epidemic.

The department said 33,200 babies were born in the city over the 12-month period, while 54,400 people died.

Professor Paul Yip of the University of Hong Kong, said the city will rely heavily on immigrants to prevent its population from shrinking as deaths are expected to continue to outnumber births.

But the academic said Hong Kong must make sure it attracts the "right people"

"We have to ensure those people who have arrived in Hong Kong are actually staying in Hong Kong and making contribution to Hong Kong's development," he told RTHK.