Over 1.36 million Hongkongers are living in poverty as the rate reached 20 percent in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest report released by Oxfam on Tuesday.
In the first quarter of this year, the median monthly income for the poorest 10 percent of households was only HK$2,300, dropping more than one-third compared to before the pandemic.
In contrast, the wealthiest 10 percent of households had a median monthly income of HK$132,600, marking a growth of more than 10 percent since 2019. The second richest 10 percent of households also saw an 8.8 percent increase.
It was revealed that the poorest 10 percent of households made 57.7 times less than the wealthiest 10 percent in the first quarter of 2023 when comparing their median monthly incomes pre- and post-pandemic.
The overall median household income was HK$29,500, a slight increase of 1.7 percent, or HK$500, from before the pandemic.
Oxfam added that working poverty remains an issue in the post-Covid era. Nearly 210,000 people, which makes up 6.4 percent of the employed population, still live in poverty despite having jobs in the first quarter of this year.
Almost 60 percent of those experiencing working poverty have full-time employment. They mostly work in the retail, accommodation, and food services sectors. One in every ten workers experiences working poverty.
"Before considering importing foreign labor, Oxfam Hong Kong calls on the government to adjust the minimum wage, create jobs and offer incentives to support employment at the grassroots level," said Kalina Tsang Ka-wai, Director General of Oxfam HK.
"The government should also strengthen its support for subdivided flat households and expand its Community Living Room project to all 18 districts in proportion to the population of subdivided flats in the area.
Oxfam also suggests the government proactively work with businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and invest in social innovation projects that focus on poverty to scale up the efforts and impacts of charitable initiatives.
