Hong Kong Releases September 2024 Monthly Digest of Statistics Featuring Key Social Security Data and Economic Analysis.

September 2024 issue of "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" now available

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (September 16) the September 2024 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS).

Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled "Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2013 to 2023" and "Statistics on Sectoral Concentration". Statistics presented in the "Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2013 to 2023" article are based on the data source from the Social Welfare Department.

"Statistics on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, 2013 to 2023"

According to the data source from the Social Welfare Department, the total number of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases has decreased gradually at an average rate of 2.6% per annum in the past decade. The number of cases fell from about 260 000 as at end 2013 to about 200 000 as at end 2023. Larger decreases were noted in low-earnings cases (-15.9% per annum on average) and single parent cases (-3.5% per annum on average). There were 273 941 CSSA recipients as at end 2023, representing a drop of 30.6% when compared with end 2013.

This feature article describes the major changes in the number of CSSA cases and recipients during the period from 2013 to 2023.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Research and Statistics Section of the Social Welfare Department (Tel: 2892 5225; email: rsenq@swd.gov.hk).

"Statistics on Sectoral Concentration"

A wide range of statistical indicators can be compiled from the results of the Annual Survey of Economic Activities conducted by the Census and Statistics Department for analysing the business situation and performance of various economic sectors in Hong Kong. Among others, statistics on sectoral concentration can throw light on the extent of business concentration within individual sectors.

This feature article analyses the extent of business concentration in selected economic sectors of Hong Kong by making reference to the Concentration Ratios and Herfindahl-Hirschman Indices compiled in terms of business receipts in 2021 and 2022. It is an update of similar articles on the same subject published in preceding years.

For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7398; email: asw@censtatd.gov.hk).

Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).

Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-generated images

CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 19) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

​The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

​If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

​The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.