|
2006 Figures at a Glance |
|
Infant Mortality Rate |
1.8 per 1 000 registered live births |
|
Maternal Mortality Ratio |
0.0 per 100 000 registered live births
(Nil cases of registered maternal death) |
|
Life Expectancy |
2006 2033 |
79.5 (Male) 85.6 (Male) |
82.5 (Female) 88.0 (Female) projected |
Hong Kong has a quality healthcare system supported by a highly professional
team of healthcare workers. The infant mortality rate has declined steadily over the
past 20 years to become the lowest in the world in 2006. Hong Kong people's life
expectancy has improved notably. In 2004, male life expectancy was 79 years, the
highest in the world; while female life expectancy at 84.8 years was the third highest,
or slightly lower than that of Japan and Monaco.
But Hong Kong's healthcare system comes at a price. According to the
Government's Domestic Health Accounts (DHA)1, Hong Kong's health bill increased
from 3.8 per cent of GDP in 1989-90 to 5.5 per cent in 2001-02.2 The Government's
share of this expenditure rose from 43 per cent to 57 per cent in the same period.
The Government's total spending on health-related matters in the 2004-05 financial
year amounted to $37.8 billion, equivalent to 14.7 per cent of total public
expenditure, or 2.9 per cent of GDP. Hong Kong's ageing population, rising
expectations of healthcare, and soaring medical costs pose a challenge for the
Government in the long run and is a matter of concern to the community.
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