Explanatory Notes on Main Statistical Indicators

Crude birth rate refers to the number of live births occurred during a calendar year to the mid-year population of that year. It is usually expressed in terms of 1000 population.

Crude death rate refers to the number of deaths occurred during a calendar year to the mid year population of that year. It is usually expressed in terms of 1000 population.

Expectation of life at birth refers to the average number of years of life that a male/female born in a given year can expect to live if he/she were subjected to the prevalent mortality conditions as reflected by the set of age sex specific mortality rates for that year.

Mid - year population estimate includes permanent and non permanent residents and transients in Hong Kong. Permanent residents temporarily away to the mainland of China and Macao are also included.

Total fertility rate refers to the average number of children that would be born alive to 1000 women during their lifetime if they were to pass through all their childbearing years following the age specific fertility rates of a given year.

Infant mortality rate refers to the number of deaths aged under one occurred during a calendar year per 1000 live births in the same year.

Labour force refers to the land based civilian non institutional population aged 15 and over who satisfy the criteria for inclusion in the employed population or the unemployed population.

Labour force participation rate refers to the proportion of labour force in the land based civilian non institutional population aged 15 and over.

Employed population consists of persons aged 15 and over who have been at work for pay or profit during the seven days before enumeration or who have had formal job attachment. Unpaid family workers and persons who were on leave/holiday during the seven days before enumeration are included.

Unemployed population comprises all those persons aged 15 and over who have not had a job, have not performed any work for pay or profit, have been available for work during the seven days before enumeration and have sought work during the thirty days before enumeration. It also includes persons without a job who have sought work but unavailable for work because of temporary sickness; and persons without a job who have been available for work but have not sought work because they (i) have made arrangements to take up a new job or to start business at a subsequent date; or (ii) were expectinging to return to their original jobs; or(iii) believed that work was not available to them ("discouraged workers").

Unemployment rate refers to the proportion of unemployed persons in the labour force.

Underemployed population comprises those employed persons who have involuntarily worked less than thirty five hours during the seven days before enumeration and have sought additional work during the thirty days before enumeration, or have not sought additional work but have been available for additional work during the seven days before enumeration.

Underemployment rate refers to the proportion of underemployed persons in the labour force.

Wage rate refers to the amount of money paid for normal time of work and usually relates to a time unit such as an hour, a day, a week or a month. It includes, apart from basic wages and salaries, cost of living allowances, meal benefits, commissions and tips, good attendance bonuses, shift allowances, guaranteed year end bonuses, and other guaranteed and regular bonuses and allowances.

Nominal wage index measures the pure changes in wage rates of employees up to supervisory level by holding constant the structure of the labour force with respect to industry, occupation and sex between two successive rounds of the survey.

Real wage index indicates changes in the purchasing power of the amount of money earned as wages by employees up to supervisory level and is obtained by deflating the nominal wage index by the Consumer Price Index(A).

Salary rate is defined to include basic salaries, cost of living allowances, guaranteed year end bonuses, commissions and tips and other regular and guaranteed bonuses and allowances. The remuneration for managerial employees and professional employees is usually called salary instead of wage though they have more or less the same components.

Nominal salary index(A) measures the overall changes in average salary rates of middle level managerial and professional employees.

Nominal salary index (B) is derived to reflect only changes in salary rates of those managerial and professional employees who have been in the same occupation and in the same company in two consecutive years. It only accounts for changes in salary rates due to general increment, meritorious increase and gain in seniority.

Real salary index(A) and real salary index(B) are obtained by deflating the respective nominal indices by the Hang Seng Consumer Price Index and measure changes in the purchasing power of the amount of salaries earned.

Domestic exports refer to the natural product of Hong Kong or the products of a manufacturing process in Hong Kong which has changed permanently the shape, nature, form or utility of the basic materials used in manufacture. Their values are recorded on f.o.b (free on board) basis.

Re-exports refer to products which have previously been imported into Hong Kong and which are re exported without having undergone in Hong Kong a manufacturing process which has changed permanently the shape, nature, form or utility of the product. Their values are recorded on f.o.b (free-on-board) basis.

Imports refer to goods which have been produced or manufactured in places outside the jurisdiction of Hong Kong and brought into Hong Kong by land, air or water for domestic use or for subsequent re-export as well as Hong Kong products re-imported. Their values are recorded on c.i.f. (cost, insurance and freight) basis.

Exports to the mainland of China for outward processing refer to raw materials or semi manufactures exported from or through Hong Kong to the mainland of China for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.

Imports from the mainland of China related to outward processing refer to processed goods imported from the mainland of China of which all or part of the raw materials or semi manufactures have been under contractual arrangement exported from or through Hong Kong to the mainland of China for processing.

Re-exports of the mainland of China origin to other places involving outward processing in the mainland of China refer to processed goods re exported through Hong Kong of which all or part of the raw materials or semi manufactures have been exported from or through Hong Kong to the mainland of China for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.

The following indicators can be found in the tables which present statistics on the operating characteristics of various industries in HKSAR (i.e. Tables 13,17,20,26,27 and 28):

For all industries:

Establishment is defined as an economic unit (i.e. a unit engaged in the production of goods or services) which engages, under a single ownership or control (i.e. under a single Company Name), in one or predominantly one kind of economic activity at a single physical location (i.e. in the same building). Where separate figures relating to different activities or different locations under the same management are not available, a combined return is accepted for data collection purposes and in this case, the reporting unit is treated as an establishment.

Number of persons engaged equals number of working proprietors, active partners and unpaid family workers, plus number of employees.

Compensation of employees equals wages and salaries, plus payments in kind and employer's social security expenditure, plus payments to outworkers (“payments to outworkers” only applicable to manufacturing establishments).

Gross additions to fixed assets equals acquisition of fixed assets less proceeds from sales of fixed assets.

For manufacturing industries(Table 13):

Gross output equals sales of goods, industrial work and industrial services, plus rental income from other sources, plus stocks of work in progress, finished products and goods for resale at end of year, less stocks of work in progress, finished products and goods for resale at the beginning of year, less purchase of goods for resale in same condition.

For wholesale, retail and import/export trades, restaurants and hotel industries (Table 26):

Operating expenses equals rent and rates for land and buildings, plus interest payments, plus expenses on repair and maintenance, plus expenses on materials and supplies used in business, plus expenses on fuels, plus expenses on water, plus expenses on electricity, plus expenses on commissions, plus textiles export quota transfer payments (“textiles export quota transfer payments" not applicable to restaurants, hotels and boarding houses), plus other operating expenses.

Gross margin (for wholesale, retail and import/export trades establishments only) equals value of sales of goods, plus receipts for services rendered, less total value of purchases of goods for sale, plus changes in stocks.

Floor area refers to all permanently built up enclosed space(s) available at the establishment(s), whether owned or leased from others, including space open to customers, storage space, offices and showrooms measured to the internal face of enclosing external and/or party walls.

For transport and related services industries (Table 20):

Operating expenses equals rent and rates for land and buildings, plus interest payments, plus expenses on repair and maintenance, plus expenses on materials and supplies used in business, plus expenses on fuels, plus expenses on water, plus expenses on electricity, plus freight charges, charter hire of transport equipment and cost of transport contract work, plus agency fees, commissions and brokerage fees, plus payments to outworkers, plus tours cost, plus cost of airline, vessel, train and bus tickets sold, plus other operating expenses.

For storage, communications, financing (except banking) and business services industries (Table 27):

Operating expenses equals rent and rates for land and buildings, plus interest payments, plus expenses on repair and maintenance, plus expenses on materials and supplies used in business, plus expenses on fuels, plus expenses on water, plus expenses on electricity, plus commissions and brokerage fees, plus cost of contract work (“cost of contract work" not applicable for financing (except banking) establishments), plus payments to outworkers (“payments to outworkers" applicable for storage establishments only), plus other operating expenses.

Floor area refers to all permanently built up enclosed space(s) available at the establishment(s), whether owned or leased from others, including space open to customers, storage space, offices and showrooms measured to the internal face of enclosing external and/or party walls.

Index of industrial production measures the changes in local manufacturing output in real terms, i.e. changes in the volume of local production after discounting the effect of price changes.

Assignments of building units refer to documents which effect the transfer of ownership of property of undivided shares of a lot, i.e. building units.

Buildings with consents to commence work refer to buildings with consents to commence building works issued by the Buildings Department of the Government of HKSAR. Such “consents" are issued to private development projects (including Hong Kong Housing Society's projects) and Hong Kong Housing Authority's development projects under the Private Sector Participation Scheme, except small village-type houses in the New Territories where “consents" are not required.

Usable floor area of a building is defined as the aggregate of the areas of the floor or floors in a story or a building excluding any staircases, public circulation space, lift landings, lavatories, water closets, kitchens and any space occupied by machinery for any lift, air conditioning system or similar service provided for the building.

Usable floor area of a flat is defined as the total floor area within the flat excluding any staircases, lavatories, water closets, kitchens and other common areas of the building.

Inward and outward movements of passengers trains refer to the through train services operated by the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) between Hong Kong and the mainland of China.

Inward and outward movements of motor vehicles refer to traffic through the Control Points at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok to and from the mainland of China.

Motor vehicle licensing conveys the right for a vehicle to be driven on a road. The valid period is either four months or a year. The total vehicles licensed figure refers to end of the year position.

Motor vehicle registration means giving the vehicle a registration mark and putting it into its appropriate class by the Transport Department of the Government of HKSAR, which is normally a one off matter. Figures on new registration refer to registrations during the year.

Heavy goods vehicle means a goods vehicle having a permitted gross vehicle weight exceeding 24 tones but not exceeding 38 tones.

Medium goods vehicle means a goods vehicle having a permitted gross vehicle weight exceeding 5.5 tones but not exceeding 24 tones.

Light goods vehicle means a goods vehicle having a permitted gross vehicle weight not exceeding 5.5 tones.

Special purpose vehicle means a motor vehicle primarily for a use other than the carriage on a road of goods, the driver or passengers (e.g. road sweeper).

Licensed ferry service refers to any ferry service (other than the Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry and Star Ferry) operated under a license granted under the Ferries Ordinance, Cap. 104.

Hotel room occupancy rate is compiled based on daily number of rooms available for sale only. Rooms under repair or being refurbished are excluded.

Authorized institutions include licensed banks, restricted license banks and deposit－taking companies.Licensed banks can accept deposits of any size and maturity. Before 1 October 1994, interest rates payable to HK dollar time deposits of less than HK$500,000 for a maturity under fifteen months, were governed by the Interest Rate Rules of the Hong Kong Association of Banks. However, the Interest Rate Rules have been liberalized by phases since then. As from 2 November 1995, the rules only apply to current accounts, savings accounts and time deposits with a maturity below seven days.

Restricted license banks can accept time deposits in amounts of not less than HK$500,000 with any term of maturity. There is no restriction on interest rate payable.

Deposit taking companies can accept time deposits in amounts of not less than HK$100, 000 with a term of maturity of at least three months. There is no restriction on interest rate payable.

Effective exchange rate indices measure movements in the weighted average of the exchange rate of Hong Kong Dollar（HKD） against the currencies of （EERI） major trading partners of Hong Kong.

Exchange rates between Hong Kong Dollar and other currencies refer to the average closing middle market telegraphic transfer rates or notes rates.

Foreign currency swap deposits refer to deposits involving customers buying foreign currencies in the spot market and placing them as deposits with authorized institutions, while at the same time entering into a contract to sell such foreign currencies (principal plus interest) forward in line with the maturity of such deposits. For most analytical purpose, they should be regarded as Hong Kong dollar time deposits.

Money supply definition 1 (M1) refers to the sum of legal tender notes and coins held by the public plus customers' demand deposits placed with licensed banks.

Money supply definition 2 (M2) refers to the sum of M1 plus customers' savings and time deposits with licensed banks, plus negotiable certificates of deposits issued by licensed banks held by non authorized institutions.

Money supply definition 3 (M3) refers to the sum of M2 plus customers' deposits with restricted license banks and deposit taking companies plus negotiable certificates of deposits issued by restricted license banks and deposit taking companies held by non authorized institutions.

Hang Seng Index launched on 24 November 1969, is the key barometer of the Hong Kong stock market and reflects general price movements and the performance of the market as a whole.

Hang Seng China Enterprise Index launched on 8 August 1994, monitors H share movements shares of companies incorporated in the mainland of China and listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

Loan Fund is used to finance schemes of the HKSAR Government loans, such as housing loans and students loans. The main sources of income are appropriations from the General Revenue Account, loan repayments and interest.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) summarizes changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households. It measures the change over time in the total cost of a given basket of goods and services. Its year on year rate of change is widely used as an indicator of inflation affecting consumers.

The year-on-year rate of change is the percentage increase or decrease in the current index compared to that in the same period of preceding year.

Different CPIs are compiled by the Census and Statistics Department of the Government of HKSAR to reflect the impact of consumer price changes on households in different expenditure ranges. The CPI(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI (Hang Seng Consumer Price Index has been renamed Consumer Price Index(C) as oorm the reference month of July 1999.) are compiled based on the expenditure patterns of households in the relatively low, medium and relatively high expenditure ranges. A Composite CPI is compiled based on the expenditure patterns of all households taken together to reflect the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector as a whole.

The expenditure weights of the CPIs currently in use are derived from the results of the Household Expenditure Survey conducted in 1994/95.

Tenure of accommodation refers to the terms or conditions under which accommodation is held by a household. The different terms are defined as follows:

Owner-occupier refers to a household which owns the quarters it occupies.

Sole tenant refers to a household which rents the whole quarters it occupies from someone who lives outside the quarters without sharing it with other household(s) or subletting.

Co-tenant refers to two or more households each of which rents part of a quarters from someone who lives outside the quarters.

Main tenant refers to a household which rents the whole quarters it occupies from someone who lives outside the quarters and sublets part of it to other household(s).

Sub tenant refers to a household which rents part of a quarters from someone who lives in the same quarters.

Rent free refers to a household which occupies an accommodation free, with or without the owner's permission. This excludes households occupying accommodation provided by employers.

Provided by employer refers to a household which occupies an accommodation provided by the employer of one of the household members. This also includes households occupying quarters leased from employers at a nominal rent. If a household member uses housing allowance given by his employer for renting accommodation, the tenure is not considered as provided by employer.

Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education ever attained by a person in school or other educational institution, regardless of whether he/she had completed the course. Only formal courses are counted as educational attainment. A formal course shall be one that lasts for at least one academic year, requires specific academic qualification for entrance (except degree course offered by the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong, i.e. the present Open University of Hong Kong) and includes examinations or specific academic assessment procedures.

Kindergarten refers to all classes in kindergarten.

Non-degree course refers to all higher diploma/endorsement certificate courses in technical institutes/technical colleges (technical institutes and technical colleges were merged as the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education in 1999) /polytechnics (the present universities), associateship and other non associateship courses in polytechnics (the present universities) and other post secondary colleges. Certificate/diploma courses in colleges/institute of education and in the Hong Kong Technical Teachers' College and nurse training courses are also included in this category.

Degree course refers to all first degree courses and post graduate courses in tertiary educational institutions in Hong Kong and overseas.

Social Security Schemes aim to help vulnerable groups in the community who require financial or material assistance. The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme and the Social Security Allowance Scheme are the key elements in the non contributory social security system. They are supplemented by three other schemes: the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and Emergency Relief.

Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme (known as Public Assistance (PA) Scheme before 1 July 1993) is means tested and non contributory. It is intended to bring the income of needy individuals and families up to a prescribed level to meet their basic and special needs.

Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme (known as Special Needs Allowance (SNA) Scheme before 1 July 1993) comprises Old Age Allowance (OAA) and Disability Allowance (DA). It provides non contributory monthly allowance to elderly persons aged 65 or over and severely disabled persons to meet special needs arising from old age or disability.

The Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation (CLEIC) Scheme provides cash assistance to victims (or their dependants in case of death) who are injured, disabled or killed as a result of a crime of violence, or by a law enforcement officer using a weapon in the execution of his duty.

The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Scheme provides prompt financial assistance to traffic accident victims or their dependants regardless of who was at fault in the accident. Payments cover personal injury and death, but not damage to property.

Emergency relief is provided to victims of natural and other disasters in the form of material aid including hot meals or dry rations, blankets, ground mats, eating utensils and other essential relief articles.

Legal aid is administered by the Legal Aid Department of the Government of HKSAR. It is available to both residents and non residents in Hong Kong who satisfy the Director of Legal Aids on financial eligibility and justification for taking legal action in the Hong Kong courts.

Care and attention homes provide accommodation with general personal care and limited nursing care to the elderly with poor health or physical mental disabilities.

Homes for the aged provide residential care for the elderly in the form of accommodation, meal, laundry service, limited personal care and social activities.

Hostels for the elderly provide communal living accommodation for those capable of taking care of themselves.

Multi service centers for the elderly provide a full range of services to elderly people including home help, counseling, social and recreational activities, canteen, laundry and bathing facilities and community education on a district basis.

Social centers for the elder yard designed to meet the recreational and social needs of elderly people on a neighborhood basis.

Day care centers for the elder yard available for elderly people who are dependent on family members in their daily living activities but whose families have difficulty in looking after them during the day. The centers provide services such as personal care, meals, recreational activities and limited nursing care for elderly people whose health is declining but who are still mobile.

Offenders refer to persons arrested for crime, whether or not they are prosecuted. Persons arrested for crime who are between the ages of 7 and 15 are called juvenile offenders and those of the ages between 16 and 20 are called young persons offenders.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of a country or territory in a specified period, before deducting allowance for consumption of fixed capital.

Per capita GDP of a country or territory is obtained by dividing total GDP in a year by the corresponding population of that country or territory.

Gross National Product (GNP) refers to the total income of the residents of a country or region from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out in the economic territory of the country or region or not. In other words, the gross national product should include the income of the residents engaged in various economic activities within or outside the economic territory of the country or region, but exclude the income of non residents engaged in economic activities in the economic territory of the country or region. The following formula is used in the calculation of the gross national product:

GNP = Gross Domestic Product

+Factor income earned by residents from outside the economic territory of the country or region

-Factor income earned by non residents from within the economic territory of the country or region.

Per capita GNP of a country or a region refers to the gross national product of the country or region in a certain statistical year divided by the total population in the same year.

The components of factor income are mainly classified into investment income and compensation of employees. Investment income includes income from direct investment, income from investment in securities and income from other investment.