Page 212 - 梁文燕紀念中學（沙田）－青苗文集

Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin)

Population Boom Turns City Prospects Sour

6A Sunny Cheung Chui Yat

The ever growing population has led
Hong Kong close to, if not in first place,
the most crowded metropolis in the world,
eroding the quality of life of the locals.
With a population of nearly 7.5 million
living in the tiny city of Hong Kong, social
problems caused by overcrowding is
being magnified. Housing problems along
with skyrocketing property prices increase the burden on the city’s public services
and also leads to a lack of recreation places in urban areas.
Getting out from the MTR station, you would find yourself being surrounded
by buildings and the masses. Such a high density of people and buildings are the
sign of a vibrant economy; yet at the same time, starting from the late 90s, with
an overcrowded, unhealthy society, Hong Kong has been unable to cope with its
housing problems. Since recovering from the financial crisis, the property price
developed much better than Hong
Kong’s economy and its locals’
wages. High demand and short of
supply is the formula behind the
housing dilemma, compounded with
wealthy investors from north of the
border pushing up the price. All these
factors bar locals from buying their
own flat. A rise in subdivided flats
and seemingly endless waiting list
for government-built public housing outlines how bad the living conditions of Hong
Kong people have become. It is never good news when it is almost impossible for
even the middle-class to have a proper place to live.
The public services that Hong Kongers once took pride in is now under heavy
pressure. An overcrowded population that is ageing has increased the burden on

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