With the changes in the population and family structure in Hong Kong, the number of single-person and two-person households has increased significantly, with single-person households showing a particularly notable rise.  According to 2021 Census data, one-person households now exceed 500,000, representing 20.2% of all households in the city. As more people no longer see childbearing and family ties as necessary beneficial—and in some cases, family relationships could even become a source of distress. Since this, we must ask whether this trend will make modern individual more prone toward social isolation, or prompt them to redefine how we build meaningful connections. In response to these trends, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) has conducted case studies on solo living. Our goal is to move beyond the stigma of "loneliness" and view solo living as a "journey of self-empowerment and relationship building." We believe that a singleton-friendly society should respect people’s right to live alone while providing robust, non-traditional support systems. Exhibition Highlights The “Unlock: My Story of Solo-Connected-Living” exhibition, held from March 20–29, 2026, translates our research into an interactive narrative based on in-depth interviews with 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds. Narratives & Data:. A deep dive into the drivers of singleton living—from ...

Hong Kong is facing delayed marriage, low birth rates, and shrinking family sizes. As family structures and dynamics continue to evolve, the number of one- and two-person households is steadily rising, reflecting the shifting attitudes toward building family relationships in modern society. Under this trend, low-to-middle-income one- and two-person households entering middle-to-old age will face bigger challenge in areas such as health, employment, finances, and social life. Without a support network, these individuals are at risk of social isolation. Lone elder and elderly couples also face daunting challenge of end-of-life care.  In response to this, the government has introduced measures in recent years to identify high-risk elderly households and provide timely support. Compared to Hong Kong, solo living is even more prevalent in South Korea and the South Korean government introduced “Act on the Prevention and Management of Solitary Deaths” followed by a comprehensive master plan and the establishment of numerous community hubs to encourage solo dwellers to step out and engage with society. Meanwhile, the Singaporean government and its social service agencies have adopted a multi-pronged approach—including the strategic use of technology—to enhance care and companionship for the elderly. In light of these developments, the Council will host the ...

As Hong Kong faces a rapidly ageing population, the public concern over the elderly care, caregiver support, end-of-life care, and funeral arrangements continues to grow. To align with the government’s policy of "Ageing in place as the core, institutional care as back-up," there is a need to foster "Compassionate Communities" as supporting environment for end-of-life patients, individuals with life-limiting illness, the elderly, and their caregivers to receive adequate social support and care within their own neighborhoods. The HKCSS is launching the "Collaboration and Localization Project on 'Compassionate Communities'".  This initiative aims to establish district-based pilot sites in collaboration with partner organizations to identify service gaps and drive policy development. The project will feature guest speakers, including overseas researchers and experienced local practitioners, to bridge international insights with local community development experiences. We expect to engage professionals from elderly services, caregiver support, and community development sectors to co-design a localized "Compassionate Community" model that best fits the needs of Hong Kong. Name of Activity Date & Time Location Content Community Pathfinders – Field Observation 2 Mar 2026 (3:00pm – 5:00pm) Kowloon City Baptist Church Social Service (G/F, Low Block, Lok Tai House, Lok Fu Estate) Explore three distinct districts (Kowloon City, ...

Over the past few years, Hong Kong's demographics have undergone significant shifts. Following a period of outward migration and workforce depletion, the subsequent influx of new talents has not only replenished the labour pool but also reshaped the city's population structure. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) has long been attentive to population policy, seeking to gain deep insights into these critical changes and their far-reaching implications. To this end, we have interviewed newly arrived talents, business leaders, scholars, and representatives from social service organizations. Their perspectives on existing talent initiatives, Hong Kong's unique advantages, and the integration of talent into daily life will be featured in the March issue of the HKCSS Policy Bulletin. In addition to this publication, the Council will host a series of three seminars and workshops titled "Talent Arrival: The Impact and Beyond". We have invited stakeholders from various sectors to explore the impact of talent admission reforms over the past three years on the economy, employment, education, and society as a whole. We will also explore how Hong Kong can leverage this talent pool to strengthen its regional and global influence and reinforce its status as an international city. Furthermore, we will invite ...

Hong Kong is a global metropolis where the ethnic minority community, despite comprising a small portion of the total population, plays a vital role in the city’s social, economic, and cultural development. Nevertheless, ethnic minorities continue to face significant employment challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, workplace discrimination, and institutional hurdles. In recent years, both governmental and NGOs have introduced various support measures, significantly increasing career opportunities for ethnic minorities. This seminar aims to bring together recruitment platforms, government bodies, tertiary education, and ethnic minority communities to explore the opportunities and challenges arising from local policies. Special focus will be placed on racial inclusion within the public healthcare system and the career development of ethnic minority youth. By fostering cross-sector dialogue, we hope to advance policy implementation, optimize existing measures, and cultivate an equitable and inclusive employment ecosystem—realizing the vision of Hong Kong as a diverse and inclusive society. Details: Date         :       March 25th 2026 (Wed) Time        :       9:30am to 1:00pm Venue      :       201, Duke of Windsor Social Service Bldg, Wanchai Language :    Cantonese Please register online before March 20th 2026. For any problem, please contact our Project Manager Ms Tiffany Chan (28762414/ [email protected]) or Officer Mr Norman ...