Is the expat community changing in Hong Kong?
Figures show an exodus of expatriates from the United States, Britain and Australia in the past year, with the number of Brits dropping 10 per cent, while the number of Filipinos rose to reach 200,000
Hong Kong has seen an exodus of expatriates from the United States, Britain and Australia in the past year, according to the latest figures from the Immigration Department.
Brits saw the biggest percentage drop (10.64 per cent) in their numbers, while the number of Americans and Australians fell by about 8 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.
Malaysia, Portugal, Japan, Canada, Indonesia and Singapore also saw declines in the number of their citizens living in the city during the same period, but to a lesser extent.
Overall the number of foreign residents living in the city only fell by about 1 per cent, but this was heavily influenced by a significant rise in the number of arrivals from the Philippines – traditionally the source of Hong Kong’s domestic workers. The number of Filipinos increased from 193,354 to 201,063 from June last year to June this year.
Increasing numbers of workers are returning to their home countries after completing temporary contracts in the city or relocating to the likes of Singapore for new career opportunities, professional movers said.
Jon Boag, director of relocation company Swift Relo, said it had been a “very busy summer” and he had seen an increase in business. He said those who chose to leave Hong Kong often cited pollution as a key factor as well as new employment opportunities, adding that some only saw Hong Kong as a temporary home and had “just had enough here”.
