SCMP – Laisee
The government is apparently puzzled by signs of a new brain drain. Provisional figures from the Census and Statistics Department show net emigration of 12,400 last year. Figures from the Security Bureau show that 8,300 permanent residents left last year, a 15 per cent increase over 2010. One university professor said many of those who left were professionals and members of the middle class. Various reasons have been mooted, such as changes in the exam structure and the departure of mainland mothers. We have one thought on this: Intelligent people with young families are not keen on paying high property prices and bringing their children up in Hong Kong’s dangerously filthy air.