The latest survey conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) revealed that the mood of Hongkongers born in mainland China is consistently better than those born in the city. The survey, which has been ongoing since 1992, aims to measure the sentiments of Hong Kong residents on various issues related to their livelihood, government satisfaction, and other topics.
According to the data released by PORI, the public sentiment index for city-born individuals was 100.6 in the first half of the year, while it stood at 130.5 for those born in mainland China. The normal level of the index is set at 100, with a standard deviation of 15. This trend of more positive sentiment among mainland-born individuals has been consistent over the years, as indicated by the survey results dating back to mid-2002.
In addition to city-born and mainland-born respondents, the survey also includes participants from other places of birth. The sentiment index for this group typically falls between the indexes of city-born and mainland-born individuals, although it has been leaning closer to the latter in recent years.
During the analysis period from July 2002 to July 2024, a total of 541,124 respondents were interviewed through random telephone surveys. The most recent preliminary data involved a sample size of 671 participants.
The survey findings also highlighted a significant drop in public sentiment in the second half of 2019, which coincided with city-wide protests against a controversial extradition bill. The bill, which sparked widespread unrest, was eventually withdrawn, but the protests evolved into a broader expression of dissent against the government and alleged police brutality. During this tumultuous period, the public sentiment index for city-born individuals was 58.7, compared to 80.2 for mainland-born respondents.
Despite the challenges faced in 2019, there have been fluctuations in public sentiment over the years, with peaks observed in the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2023. These fluctuations reflect the dynamic nature of public opinion in Hong Kong and the various factors that influence residents’ sentiments.
Overall, the survey results provide valuable insights into the mood and attitudes of Hong Kong residents, shedding light on the differences in sentiment among individuals born in the city, mainland China, and other locations. The ongoing surveys conducted by PORI play a crucial role in capturing the evolving public opinion landscape in Hong Kong and informing discussions on social, political, and economic issues in the region.