The population of Hong Kong increased at an average growth rate of 1.3 percent, from 5.18 million in 1981 to 6.72 million in 2001, the census said.

The population indicated a continuing dejuvenation and aging trend, the Census and Statistics Department concluded in its publication entitled "Demographic Trends in Hong Kong 1981-2001" issued on Monday.

The median age of the population rose from 26 years in 1981 to 37 years in 2001. This is attributable to the declining fertility and the continuous mortality improvement experienced in the last 20 years, the census said.

Hong Kong's fertility experienced a marked and continuous decline in the past two decades. The total fertility rate decreased by about 52 percent from 1,933 live births per 1,000 women in 1981 to 927 live births in 2001.

Hong Kong has experienced a continuous decline in mortality during 1981-2001, leading to an increase in life expectancy. The expectation of life at birth for males increased from 72.3 years in 1981 to 78.4 years in 2001. The corresponding figures for females were 78.5 years and 84.6 years.

Delay in marriage prevailed. In 2001, the median age at first marriage was 30 years for bridegrooms and 27 years for brides. Twenty years ago, the corresponding median ages were 27 years and 24 years respectively.

The number of divorce decrees granted in 2001 was 13,425, as compared with 2,060 in 1981.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2002)