Research Highlights

A research study on developing a policy framework for poverty alleviation in Hong Kong

Update as of 3 August 2026



This study, supported by Oxfam Hong Kong, examines how poverty is measured in Hong Kong and seeks to improve the accuracy and usefulness of current approaches. Despite being a highly developed city, Hong Kong continues to face significant poverty challenges driven by high living costs, income inequality, and limited affordable housing.

The research highlights limitations in the existing poverty measurement model, which is based primarily on household income and does not fully account for assets, living expenses, or other non-monetary factors. It also notes that Hong Kong’s approach differs from international standards, making comparisons difficult and limiting broader policy insights.

To address these gaps, the study collected multifaceted data from 2000 households to study different ways to define poverty and the accuracy of the relative poverty line Hong Kong adopted for almost 10 years (2013-2022). In particular, we showed that accuracy of relative poverty can be improved significantly if we use it to measure working families only; families with retired members are more likely to have assets and can be measured at the same time with social support systems. We also suggested including housing support in poverty measurement. Our research continues to explore other ways to measure poverty more accurately, and facilitate comparisons internationally.

 

Team Members:

  1. PI: Prof. CHIU Dah Ming, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  2. Dr. FUNG Ka-yi, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  3. Dr. CHAN Cheong-yu Stephen, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  4. Mr. LUK Yiu-tung, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  5. Mr. LAU Sik-wai Michael, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  6. Dr. LO Tsz-fung Ruby, Social Policy Research Ltd.
  7. Prof. WONG Yu-cheung, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University
  8. Dr Mandy LEUNG, Felizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis University

Reference no.: ISG220208-R1