The government, companies, and non-profit organizations should maintain the drive of their initiatives to assist the community.
Not many success stories from Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities make the news. Although more individuals from various fields have gained recognition lately, many still face challenges in breaking through stereotypes and obstacles. Long-term policy support is necessary to improve opportunities for this community.
The difficulties encountered and the advancements achieved by the community were highlighted in a set of Post articles. The achievement of a 28-year-oldLamia Sreya Rahmanis motivating. Having established an AI company and developed a prize-winning wearable technology for the blind, the Hong Kong-based Bangladeshi individual was included in May on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 Social Impact list, which highlights young individuals tackling social challenges through their endeavors.
Separately, Smriti KediaGlowed in the city’s university entrance exam with her almost perfect scores this month. The 18-year-old of Indian descent achieved four 5** and two 5*, the highest two grades on a seven-level scale, in the Diploma of Secondary Education exam.
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The two serve as examples for a community that is unfortunately frequently linked with poverty and various societal issues. More instances of personal achievements are emerging, partly due to the ongoing efforts of the government, companies, and non-profit organizations. Nevertheless, obstacles still exist.
According to official statistics, the educational metrics and quality of life for ethnic minority communities are progressively enhancing. The enrollment rate among individuals aged 18 to 24 increased from 38.4 percent to 50 percent between 2011 and 2021, aligning more closely with the city’s overall rate of 55 percent. Within the South Asian community, 39.2 percent achieved post-secondary education in 2021, surpassing the 34.6 percent figure for the general population.
In the period between 2016 and 2021, the average monthly earnings of South Asians increased by one-third, moving from HK$15,000 to HK$20,000, surpassing the overall population’s median income of HK$19,500. Nevertheless, within the South Asian community, Pakistanis and Nepalis had lower averages, earning HK$15,000 and HK$17,000 respectively. The median incomes for Indonesians, Thais, and Filipinos in Hong Kong were even lower, standing at HK$13,000, HK$13,500, and HK$16,500 respectively.
In recent years, the government has implemented various measures, such as establishing job and workplace programs, along with specialized teams for ethnic minority support, to assist marginalized groups. It is crucial to maintain this progress so that more individuals within the community can achieve success. This is particularly vital as the community continues to face numerous systemic challenges, including issues in education, language difficulties, racial prejudice, and hurdles to social inclusion.
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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.
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