Fewer than one in five people attended handover events, according to a South China Morning Post survey.
The poll showed only 19 per cent took part in activities despite a packed schedule of festivities organised by the SAR Government and pro-Beijing groups.
Event organisers yesterday blamed the weather and television, saying people might have stayed away so they could watch the celebrations on TV.
Television ratings bear this out. Stations claimed record ratings for the period.
More than 1,000 people aged 15 to 64 took part in the survey between July 7 and 11.
'Some people preferred to watch events on the television rather than join us,' said Christine Chie, publicity officer of the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China.
'Of course we were a little disappointed with the weather,' she said.
