HIST4702 (2022-23) Digital History Project: SARS in Asia
Data: Social and Economic Impacts of SARS in Hong Kong
Under SARS-Hong Kong Economy and Aviation
Hong Kong Economy
In 2003, Hong Kong’s annual GDP was 1,256.669 billion, a decline of 3% year-on-year. Of this, the 2nd quarter saw the most significant contraction in GDP due to the outbreak and spread of SARS, with a 6.3% drop compared to the same period last year.
Since the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong in February 2003, all sectors had been affected to varying degrees by the spread of the virus. Among them, the tertiary sector, including tourism, transport, accommodation and catering industries, was one of the most sever affected sectors.
Under SARS-Hong Kong Aviation
As one of the most important modes of transport, airlines play a very important role in people’s long-distance travel needs. The outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong in March 2003 put many individuals’ travel plans on hold, and with it, aviation was significantly affected. After a brief peak of 15.6 million in 2002, Hong Kong’s air passenger traffic fell by 17% to 13 million in 2003, reaching its lowest point in the 20-year period from 1998 to 2007. However, thanks again to the Hong Kong Government’s proactive policy on tourism, the indicator rebounded significantly in 2004 to 17 million passengers, a 37% increase over the same period the previous year, and surpassed the short-lived peak in 2002.
Under SARS-Hong Kong Tourism and Population
Hong Kong Tourism
After setting a new record of 16.57 million arrivals in 2002, Hong Kong Tourism Board had high hopes of doing even better in 2003, but soon found itself facing unprecedented challenges due to the outbreak of SARS across the region.[1]
Firstly, looking at the overall performance of Hong Kong visitors, the total number of foreign visitors to Hong Kong in 2003 was around 9.67 million, a decline of 9% compared to the previous year. At the same time, both inbound and outbound visitors were affected to the same extent, the only decline in the two decades from 1998-2017. In turn, the decline in visitors triggered a contraction in the tourism market. In 2003, Hong Kong’s tourism receipts amounted to 9 billion dollar, down by about 8.5% year-on-year. Similarly, tourism expenditure was 11.45 billion dollar, also down by about 7.8% compared to the same period last year.
Hong Kong Population
Over the 20-year history of 1998-2017, Hong Kong’s population maintained a positive growth rate, with only a 0.2% drop in population growth during SARS in 2003. At the same time, the fertility rate also showed a slight downward trend from the previous year, recording its lowest value in two decades at 0.9%. The main reason for this phenomenon can be attributed to the migration boom. In 2003, Hong Kong’s emigration population was greater than the immigrant population, resulting in a net migration decline of 258,000, which was the main reason for the decline in the population growth rate in 2003 to -0.2%.
[1] A Statistical Review of Hong Kong Tourism 2003,[2004a].
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