Hong Kong's population edged up by more than 10,000 in 2025, driven largely by government initiatives to attract talent and import labour, according to official data released on Thursday.

The Census and Statistics Department reported that the city’s provisional population stood at 7,510,800 at the end of 2025 — an increase of 10,200, or 0.1 percent, from 7,500,600 a year earlier.

Over the 12-month period, Hong Kong recorded a net inflow of 29,100 residents, helping to counterbalance a natural population decline of 18,900.

The natural decrease resulted from 31,100 births against 50,000 deaths.

A government spokesperson attributed the overall growth to a range of talent admission and labour importation schemes, which have drawn people from around the world and offset the deficit from fewer births than deaths.