Hong Kong Ranked Second to Last in World Cities under National Security Law

Hong Kong had long been internationally recognized as a vibrant city full of energy, freedom, and efficiency. However, this year it ranked second to last on a list of the world’s best cities, and third to last on a list of the most livable cities for foreigners. Meanwhile, the number of foreigners applying to work in Hong Kong dropped by more than 70% in the first half of this year compared to a few years ago. 

 The city has been gradually abandoned by the international community after the Chinese Communist Government imposed the draconian National Security Law on Hong Kong on June 30th, 2020 with devastating consequences for human rights.InterNations, the world’s premier ex-pat community website, recently released a survey listing the 52 most livable cities in the world for expatriates in 2022. Hong Kong ranked 50th, third from the bottom of the list, while Taiwan was in the top three. According to the survey results, 56% of expatriates believe they are no longer able to express themselves publicly in Hong Kong; another 33% are dissatisfied with the city’s urban environment. These resulted in the city ranking 41st, in the Overseas Work Destination Index placing it in the bottom 10. Figures from Hong Kong Immigration Department also show that the number of expatriates coming to Hong Kong has fallen significantly in recent years, plummeting 72% this year compared to the same period in 2018. 

 In addition, a growing number of expatriates who have lived in Hong Kong for a long time are leaving or deciding to leave the city they call home.  

 Of those respondents who chose to leave, 62% said the main reason for leaving was that the implementation of Hong Kong’s version of the National Security Law made them worried.