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Hong Kong's population shrunk at a record pace of 1.2% over the past 12 months amid Beijing's crackdown on dissent in the city and pandemic-induced lockdown.
According to estimations released by the Census and Statistics Department Thursday, Hong Kong's population at the end of June saw a drop of almost 90,000 from the same month last year.
This marks the biggest rate of population decline in Hong Kong since 1961 when the city began keeping records.
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A government spokesperson clarified that the decrease in population is not a direct reflection of emigration and that other factors, such as Covid-19 restrictions and severe interruption of international travel, should be taken into consideration.
Hong Kong saw a mass exodus of its residents in the past months following the enactment of the Beijing-imposed national security law, which criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
In January, the UK began offering a route to permanent settlement and citizenship to holders of British National (Overseas) status in Hong Kong.
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It is estimated that upward of 300,000 people will take up the offer over the next five years, according to a report from Britain's Home Office.