Poverty and Social Exclusion in Hong Kong
Transcript of Poverty and Social Exclusion in Hong Kong
Maggie Lau, Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong
(Email: [email protected])
David Gordon, Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research, University of Bristol
(Email: [email protected])
Christina Pantazis, Centre for the Study of Poverty & Social Justice, School for Policy Studies,
University of Bristol (Email: [email protected])
Eileen Sutton, School of Oral & Dental Sciences, University of Bristol
(Email: [email protected])
Lea Lai, Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong
(Email: [email protected])EASP Conference, Beijing (11-12 July 2013)
Poverty and Social Exclusion in Hong KongPoverty and Social Exclusion in Hong Kong
Outline
⢠Background of the PSEHK study
⢠Data and methods
⢠Preliminary findings of the PSEHK survey
â The suitability of the items (i.e. Items could be appropriate
to reflect a minimum standard of living)
â Reliability analysis
â Which necessities did adults and children lack?
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Background
⢠The project of âPoverty and Social Exclusion in HKâ (PSEHK) funded by
the ESRC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (RES-000-22-4400)
Chowâs 1982 study
Townsendâs 1968 study
The LSHK
The PSEUK 1999 survey
The HKCSS 2011 survey
The DSE survey in Australia
The PSEHK 2012 survey
The PSEUK 2012 survey
The SPPR-PDSE study
PSDE: Poverty, Social Disadvantages and Exclusion
PDCW: Poverty, Disadvantages and Childrenâs Well-being
PDHI: Poverty, Disadvantages and Health Inequality
Expert review of previous
surveys
Chowâs 1982 study
The LSHK
The PSEUK surveys
The HKCSS 2011 survey, etc
Focus groups
(FGs)
FG1: Lone parents and couples with children
FG2: Lone parents with dependent children
FG3: Couples with children
FG4: Single adults
FG5: Elderly people
FG6: Couples with and without children
FG7: Elderly people
PSEHK
QuestionnaireAdvisory group
including: academic scholars; NGO practitioners
Data and methods
including: necessities of life for adults and children; social exclusion
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PSEHK Advisory Group
International and local academic scholars:
⢠Prof Jonathan Bradshaw (University of York, UK)
⢠Dr Chan Kam Wah (Polytechnic University of
Hong Kong)
⢠Prof Nelson Chow (University of Hong Kong)
⢠Dr Roger Chung (Chinese University of Hong
Kong)
⢠Prof Ray Forrest (City University of Hong Kong)
⢠Prof Sian Griffiths (Chinese University of Hong
Kong)
⢠Dr Liou He Chiun Daniel (Asia University, Taiwan)
⢠Prof Mok Ka Ho (Hong Kong Institute of
Education)
⢠Prof Peter Saunders (University of New South
Wales, Australia)
⢠Prof Wang Ya Ping (University of Glasgow, UK)
⢠Prof Wong Hung (Chinese University of Hong
Kong)
⢠Prof Samuel Wong (Chinese University of Hong
Kong)
Practitioners from the NGOS:
⢠Mr Au Yueng Tat Chor (Concerning CSSA
Review Alliance)
⢠Mr Chua Hoi Wai (HKCSS)
⢠Mr Beethosum Kung (The Boysâ & Girlsâ Clubs
Association of Hong Kong)
⢠Mr Alex Lam (Caritas Community Centre,
Tsuen Wan)
⢠Ms Lam Man Wa Kaki (Alliance for Children
Development Rights)
⢠Mr Tiu Kwong Ho (Windshield Charitable
Foundation
⢠Ms Yeung Mei (Tonggen)
⢠Ms Wong Shek Hung (Oxfam Hong Kong)
⢠Ms Rico Yee, and Mr Wong YT
(Neighbourhood & Workerâs Service Centre)
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Poverty in Hong Kong
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Note: Low -income households refer to households living under a monthly income less than or equal to half of the median income
of all other households of equal size of 1-person, 2-person, 3-person, or 4-person or over
Source: HKCSS, available at: http://www.poverty.org.hk/povertydata?tid=26
39.0
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
42.242.5
41.4
43.143.5
44.6
45.545.3 45.2 45.1
44.4
Number of low-income households (2001-2011)
7
â0000
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Rate of persons in low-income households (2001-2011)
Source: HKCSS, available at: http://www.poverty.org.hk/povertydata?tid=26
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Aged 0 - 5 Aged 6 â 14 Aged 0 â 14
Aged 15 â 24 Aged 25 â 64 Aged 65 or over
District 2001 2011
1 20.2% 22.3%
2 21.1% 21.0%
3 23.5% 20.0%
4 15.2% 12.2%
5 16.0% 13.9%
6 18.4% 13.8%
7 14.4% 15.2%
8 20.4% 19.5%
9 23.0% 21.1%
10 15.3% 14.3%
11 21.4% 20.4%
12 23.4% 21.4%
13 19.5% 19.7%
14 22.4% 16.9%
15 11.4% 11.3%
16 12.9% 14.1%
17 13.8% 12.0%
18 11.2% 12.1%
Rate of persons in low income households by District (2001 and 2011)
Source: HKCSS, available at: http://www.poverty.org.hk/povertydata?tid=26
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Map_of_Hong_Kong_18Districts_ZH.svg (ĺ°ĺ)
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Comprehensive Social Security Assistance cases by type (2001/02 -2011/12) (%)
Source: Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics 2012, p.394
Old age Unemployment Single
parent
Ill
health
Low
earnings
Mentally ill
/mentally
retarded
Physically
disabled
Others Blind Deaf
2001/02 56.3 12.8 11.9 8.1 3.7 3.7 1.6 1.5 0.1 0.1
2006/07 51.9 12.5 13.0 8.3 6.1 4.2 1.7 2.1 0.1 0.1
2007/08 53.3 11.1 12.8 8.5 5.9 4.3 1.6 2.1 0.1 0.1
2008/09 53.0 11.5 12.7 8.6 5.6 4.4 1.6 2.3 0.1 0.1
2009/10 53.3 11.3 12.5 8.7 5.4 4.5 1.6 2.5 0.1 0.1
2010/11 54.5 10.4 12.1 8.9 5.0 4.8 1.5 2.6 0.1 0.1
2011/12 56.0 9.5 11.8 9.2 4.3 4.9 1.5 2.6 0.1 0.1
Focus Group Sample Selection Criteria
⢠Income status
⢠Non-low income sample
⢠Low-income sample
⢠New immigrant from mainland China having resided in HK for
less than 7 years
⢠Sex
⢠Age
⢠Housing tenure
⢠Whether living with other family members
⢠Whether having dependent children
⢠Employment status
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Focus group participants
FGs Target group Participantsâ socioeconomic status
FG1Lone parents and couples with
children (11)
ďż˝ Low-income group
ďż˝ Living in public rental housing (PRH) in Tin Shui Wai (i.e.
remote area)
ďż˝ Housewives / Retired people
FG2Lone parents with dependent
children (7)
ďż˝ Low-income group
ďż˝ Living in suite room / PRH
ďż˝ Some of them are the new arrivals
ďż˝ Unemployed people
FG3 Couples with children (6)
ďż˝ Low-income group
ďż˝ New arrivals living in sub-divided units / PRH in Sham Shui
Po (SSP)
ďż˝ Most of them are housewives
FG4 Single adults (6)
ďż˝ Mixed income group
ďż˝ Living in sub-divided unit / suite room / PRH
ďż˝ Two of them are working for part-time / casual jobs
FG5 Elderly people (8)
ďż˝ Mixed income group
ďż˝ Living in private permanent housing (PPH) / PRH
ďż˝ Retired people
FG6Couples with and without
children (5)
ďż˝ Non low-income group
ďż˝ Living in PPH / PRH
ďż˝ One of them is self-employed living in PPH
FG7 Elderly people (6)
ďż˝ Mixed income group
ďż˝ Living in Old PRH
ďż˝ Retired people
Analytical framework of social exclusion (Levitas, et al 2007)
QUALITY OF LIFE
PARTICIPATIONRESOURCES
Living environment
Health and well-
being
Crime, harm and
criminalisation
Material/economic
resources
Access to public
and private
services
Social
resources
Economic
participation
Social
participation
Culture, education
and skills
Political and civic
participation
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Focus group sessions
⢠Coverage
â Necessities of life for adults and children
⢠âdiet, footwear and clothingâ
⢠âsocial activitiesâ
⢠âaccommodation and household itemsâ
â Social exclusion
⢠âservice accessibilityâ
⢠âpersonal relationships and supportâ
⢠âsocial and family lifeâ
⢠âhousing and neighbourhoodâ
⢠âliving standards and assetsâ
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PSEHK Questionnaire: How to compile indicators relevance to
HK and prioritises the lay opinion
⢠Items are regarded as necessities to fit peer norms
â âa meal out with children at least once a monthâ
âIt is really not good for healthâŚ. I thought itâs a kind of social activityâŚ.
Children might feel they missed something if they couldnât have itâŚ.[I
thought] children should have a chance to go there but we must tell them
we wouldnât encourage them to have fast foodâ [FG6-Male].
â âsome new, not all clothes are old ones from siblingsâ
âPsychologically [heâd think] why do I have to wear old clothes. Heâd ask
why he couldnât always buy new clothesâ [FG1-Female].
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PSEHK Questionnaire (ContinuedâŚ.)
⢠Items related to childrenâs learning opportunities
â âpaying for tutorial lessons after schoolingâ
â âpaying for special lessonsâ
âThis is necessary in such a situation nowâŚ. as many children go for
tutorial classes. If you donât do it, except youâre so smart, and if your
academic performance is average, you will compare with others [and feel
inferior]. Kids wonât be happyâ [FG4-Female].
âYou cannot lose at the starting pointâ [FG4-Male]
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PSEHK Questionnaire (ContinuedâŚ.)
⢠Items were essential, and in many cases, inseparable
â âa computer with internet connection at homeâ
âNow it becomes a necessity. It is necessary for school students. Now
primary pupils have to do online search for their homework. It is a social
trend and computers become a necessityâ [FG6-Male].
âInternet connection for what? Weâre the retired elderly peopleâŚâŚ [but]
younger generations should have itâ [FG5-Male].
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Items / Activities for children
Diet, Footwear and Clothing
1-Three meals a day
2-Fresh fruit or vegetables at least once a day
3-Meat/fish/vegetarian equivalent at least twice a day
4-School lunch box
5-New, properly fitted shoes (e.g. leather shoe and sport shoe)
6-Some new, not all clothes are old ones from siblings
7-Enough warm clothes for cold weather
8-School uniforms of correct size every year
9-New clothes and shoes for all children for Chinese New Year
10-Brand name trainers
School items
11-Educational games (e.g. chess)
12-Outdoor leisure equipment (e.g. racket or football)
13-Mobile phone for children aged 11 or older
14-Books at home suitable for their ages (including reference books and supplementary
exercises)
Items / Activities for children
Accommodation and Facilities
15-Partitioning for every child over 10 of different sex to have his/her own space
16-A suitable place at home to study or do homework
Childrenâs own money
17-Pocket money for his/her own
Childrenâs social and extra-curricular activities
18-A meal out with children at least once a month
19-A family day trip at least four times a year (e.g. going to Lantau Island, Amusement parks)
20-Going on a school trip at least once a term
21-Participation in extra-curricular activities (e.g. sports, music)
22-Tutorial lessons after school
Items / Activities for adults
Diet and Clothing
1 - Three meals a day
2 - Meat or fish (fresh/frozen) or vegetarian equivalent every other day
3 - Fresh fruit or vegetables every day
4 - Eat fresh/frozen poultry for special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year)
5 - One or two pieces of new clothes in a year
6 - Enough warm clothes for cold weather
7 - One set of decent clothes (e.g. for job interview / Chinese New Year celebration)
Medical, Dental and Optical Care
8 - Able to consult private doctor when you are sick
9 - Able to consult Chinese medicine practitioner when you are sick and purchase prescribed medicines
10 - Regular dental check-up once a year
11 - Regular eye check once a year and able to afford spectacles if needed
Household Facilities and Items
12 - Facilities inside the home and no need to share with other families ( e.g. kitchen, toilet, bathroom, water
heater)
13 - A television
14 - A telephone at home
15 - A mobile phone
16 - A refrigerator
17 - A washing machine
18 - A fan
19 - An air-conditioner
20 - A rice cooker
21 - A computer with internet connection at home
22 - Enough money to replace worn out furniture
23 - Enough money to replace / repair broken electrical goods (e.g. refrigerator or washing machine)
Items / Activities for adults
Adultsâ Own Money
24 - A small amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family
Social and Family Life
25 - Celebrations on special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year)
26 - A meal out with friends or family at least once a month
27 - A week holiday away from Hong Kong once a year
28 - Go out with friends or family for leisure activities at least once a month (e.g. watching movie, taking
part in sport activities)
29 - Can offer a gift of money on occasion of wedding
30 - Give red pocket money (laisee) during Chinese New Year
Preliminary findings:
Necessities of life for children and adults
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Suitability of the items in Hong Kong (Measuring material deprivation in the EU, 2012)
⢠Proportion of people âwantingâ an item
â People who want the items are people who have the item
plus people who would like it but cannot afford it
⢠The suitability threshold set at 70%
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Figure 1: People âwantingâ the item (for children) (%)
Items / Activities Wanting
2-Fresh fruit or vegetables at least once a day 100
5-New, properly fitted shoes (e.g. leather shoe and sport shoe) 100
1-Three meals a day 100
7-Enough warm clothes for cold weather 100
3-Meat/fish/vegetarian equivalent at least twice a day 99
4-School lunch box 99
8-School uniforms of correct size every year 99
20-Going on a school trip at least once a term 99
6-Some new, not all clothes are old ones from siblings 98
14-Books at home suitable for their ages (including reference books and supplementary
exercises) 98
9-New clothes and shoes for all children for Chinese New Year 98
15-Partitioning for every child over 10 of different sex to have his/her own space 97
21-Participation in extra-curricular activities (e.g. sports, music) 97
16-A suitable place at home to study or do homework 96
12-Outdoor leisure equipment (e.g. racket or football) 95
18-A meal out with children at least once a month 95
13-Mobile phone for children aged 11 or older 93
17-Pocket money for his/her own 92
11-Educational games (e.g. chess) 91
22-Tutorial lessons after school 91
10-Brand name trainers 85
19-A family day trip at least four times a year (e.g. going to Lantau Island, Amusement parks) 85
Figure 2: Reliability analysis â Childrenâs items
Notes: (1) Overall alpha 0.880 (No of items: 22); (2) Items marked with asterisk (*) did not contribute to the overall reliability of the index
Items / Activities Alpha if item
deleted
15-Partitioning for every child over 10 of different sex to have his/her own space 0.886*
4-School lunch box 0.884*
5-New, properly fitted shoes (e.g. leather shoe and sport shoe) 0.881*
8-School uniforms of correct size every year 0.881*
9-New clothes and shoes for all children for Chinese New Year 0.879
20-Going on a school trip at least once a term 0.878
13-Mobile phone for children aged 11 or older 0.877
1-Three meals a day 0.876
3-Meat/fish/vegetarian equivalent at least twice a day 0.876
7-Enough warm clothes for cold weather 0.876
16-A suitable place at home to study or do homework 0.876
2-Fresh fruit or vegetables at least once a day 0.875
6-Some new, not all clothes are old ones from siblings 0.874
19-A family day trip at least four times a year (e.g. going to Lantau Island, Amusement parks) 0.874
17-Pocket money for his/her own 0.872
14-Books at home suitable for their ages (including reference books and supplementary
exercises)
0.871
18-A meal out with children at least once a month 0.871
12-Outdoor leisure equipment (e.g. racket or football) 0.869
10-Brand name trainers 0.868
11-Educational games (e.g. chess) 0.868
21-Participation in extra-curricular activities (e.g. sports, music) 0.868
22-Tutorial lessons after school 0.868
Figure 3: Which necessities did children lack in Hong Kong? (%)
Items / Activities Enforced lack
of necessities
15-Partitioning for every child over 10 of different sex to have his/her own space 25
16-A suitable place at home to study or do homework 18
19-A family day trip at least four times a year (e.g. going to Lantau Island, Amusement parks) 17
10-Brand name trainers 16
22-Tutorial lessons after school 15
11-Educational games (e.g. chess) 10
17-Pocket money for his/her own 9
13-Mobile phone for children aged 11 or older 9
14-Books at home suitable for their ages (including reference books and supplementary
exercises)
9
21-Participation in extra-curricular activities (e.g. sports, music) 9
18-A meal out with children at least once a month 8
12-Outdoor leisure equipment (e.g. racket or football) 7
5-New, properly fitted shoes (e.g. leather shoe and sport shoe) 5
6-Some new, not all clothes are old ones from siblings 4
9-New clothes and shoes for all children for Chinese New Year 4
20-Going on a school trip at least once a term 4
8-School uniforms of correct size every year 2
4-School lunch box 2
1-Three meals a day 1
2-Fresh fruit or vegetables at least once a day 1
7-Enough warm clothes for cold weather 1
3-Meat/fish/vegetarian equivalent at least twice a day 1
Figure 4: People âwantingâ the item (for adults) (%)
Items / Activities Wanting
6 - Enough warm clothes for cold weather 100
13 - A television 100
18 - A fan 100
16 - A refrigerator 100
30 - Give red pocket money (laisee) during Chinese New Year 100
20 - A rice cooker 99
12 - Facilities inside the home and no need to share with other families ( e.g. kitchen, toilet, bathroom, water heater) 99
19 - An air-conditioner 99
1 - Three meals a day 99
3 - Fresh fruit or vegetables every day 99
2 - Meat or fish (fresh/frozen) or vegetarian equivalent every other day 99
4 - Eat fresh/frozen poultry for special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 99
17 - A washing machine 99
29 - Can offer a gift of money on occasion of wedding 99
24 - A small amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family 99
25 - Celebrations on special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 97
15 - A mobile phone 97
7 - One set of decent clothes (e.g. for job interview / Chinese New Year celebration) 96
5 - One or two pieces of new clothes in a year 95
26 - A meal out with friends or family at least once a month 94
23 - Enough money to replace / repair broken electrical goods (e.g. refrigerator or washing machine) 94
14 - A telephone at home 93
22 - Enough money to replace worn out furniture 92
8 - Able to consult private doctor when you are sick 92
21 - A computer with internet connection at home 89
27 - A week holiday away from Hong Kong once a year 87
28 - Go out with friends or family for leisure activities at least once a month (e.g. watching movie, taking part in sport
activities) 85
9 - Able to consult Chinese medicine practitioner when you are sick and purchase prescribed medicines 82
10 - Regular dental check-up once a year 64
11 - Regular eye check once a year and able to afford spectacles if needed 59
Figure 5: Reliability analysis â Adultsâ items
Items / Activities Alpha if item deleted
10 - Regular dental check-up once a year 0.848*
11 - Regular eye check once a year and able to afford spectacles if needed 0.845*
30 - Give red pocket money (laisee) during Chinese New Year 0.837
12 - Facilities inside the home and no need to share with other families ( e.g. kitchen, toilet, bathroom, water heater) 0.840
13 - A television 0.840
16 - A refrigerator 0.840
14 - A telephone at home 0.839
15 - A mobile phone 0.839
18 - A fan 0.839
4 - Eat fresh/frozen poultry for special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 0.838
6 - Enough warm clothes for cold weather 0.838
17 - A washing machine 0.838
2 - Meat or fish (fresh/frozen) or vegetarian equivalent every other day 0.837
7 - One set of decent clothes (e.g. for job interview / Chinese New Year celebration) 0.837
21 - A computer with internet connection at home 0.837
1 - Three meals a day 0.836
3 - Fresh fruit or vegetables every day 0.836
19 - An air-conditioner 0.836
5 - One or two pieces of new clothes in a year 0.834
25 - Celebrations on special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 0.833
24 - A small amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family 0.832
27 - A week holiday away from Hong Kong once a year 0.832
29 - Can offer a gift of money on occasion of wedding 0.832
8 - Able to consult private doctor when you are sick 0.830
9 - Able to consult Chinese medicine practitioner when you are sick and purchase prescribed medicines 0.830
23 - Enough money to replace / repair broken electrical goods (e.g. refrigerator or washing machine) 0.828
26 - A meal out with friends or family at least once a month 0.828
28 - Go out with friends or family for leisure activities at least once a month (e.g. watching movie, taking part in sport
activities) 0.828
22 - Enough money to replace worn out furniture 0.826
Notes: (1) Overall alpha 0.840 (No of items: 29); (2) Items marked with asterisk (*) did not contribute to the overall reliability of the index
Figure 6: Which necessities did adults lack in Hong Kong? (%)
Items / Activities Enforced lack of
necessities
27 - A week holiday away from Hong Kong once a year 23
10 - Regular dental check-up once a year 22
11 - Regular eye check once a year and able to afford spectacles if needed 18
8 - Able to consult private doctor when you are sick 16
22 - Enough money to replace worn out furniture 13
9 - Able to consult Chinese medicine practitioner when you are sick and purchase prescribed medicines 12
23 - Enough money to replace / repair broken electrical goods (e.g. refrigerator or washing machine) 11
28 - Go out with friends or family for leisure activities at least once a month (e.g. watching movie, taking part in
sport activities) 9
26 - A meal out with friends or family at least once a month 8
24 - A small amount of money to spend each week on yourself, not on your family 5
5 - One or two pieces of new clothes in a year 5
7 - One set of decent clothes (e.g. for job interview / Chinese New Year celebration) 5
29 - Can offer a gift of money on occasion of wedding 5
3 - Fresh fruit or vegetables every day 3
21 - A computer with internet connection at home 3
25 - Celebrations on special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 3
19 - An air-conditioner 3
4 - Eat fresh/frozen poultry for special occasions (e.g. Chinese New Year) 2
1 - Three meals a day 2
2 - Meat or fish (fresh/frozen) or vegetarian equivalent every other day 2
30 - Give red pocket money (laisee) during Chinese New Year 2
17 - A washing machine 1
15 - A mobile phone 1
6 - Enough warm clothes for cold weather 1
12 - Facilities inside the home and no need to share with other families ( e.g. kitchen, toilet, bathroom, water heater) 1
14 - A telephone at home 1
18 - A fan 1
16 - A refrigerator 0
13 - A television 0
20 - A rice cooker 0
CONCLUDING REMARKS
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- End -
- Thank you -
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