One in four Hongkongers deprived of most basic necessities, study finds
Researchers say proportion higher than city’s official poverty rate, showing government definition not comprehensive enough to reflect hardships
Almost a quarter of Hongkongers are considered deprived of life’s most basic necessities, such as not being able to afford regular dental check-ups or new clothes every year, a local study has revealed.
Chinese University researchers said the proportion – higher than the latest official poverty rate of 19.9 per cent – showed that the government’s definition of poverty based solely on income was not comprehensive enough to reflect the hardships people face.
The researchers based their calculations on a person’s accessibility to 23 essential items. Those who could not afford two or more items were considered deprived.
Necessities included having three meals a day, getting a dental check-up once a year, owning a mobile phone, affording new clothes once a year, or going out with family or friends once a month.
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The longitudinal study involved 1,476 people first in 2014, and the same participants were surveyed again last year.