Hong Kong Population Tops Seven Million

The net increase in the southern Chinese territory's population was 56,100, made up of a natural increase through births and deaths of 37,400 and a net increase of 18,700 from new residents, mainly from mainland China, the Census and Statistics Department said.

The population has grown by 211,200 in the past five years.

Hong Kong has one of the world's lowest fertility rates, with less than one baby born for every woman of childbearing age.

Officials fear the underlying trend downwards will put pressure on a shrinking workforce to support the growing number of elderly.