The population of Hong Kong reaches 6.99 million in 2006. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries/dependencies in the world, with an overall density of more than 6,200 people per km2.
About 96% of Hong Kong's population are of Chinese descent, the majority of which are Cantonese. A new group of immigrants from mainland China have increased the ethnic diversity of the Chinese population.
The remaining 4% of the population is composed of non-ethnic Chinese and other foreign nationals such as South Asian and Nepalis population.
More than 15,000 Vietnamese, who came to Hong Kong as refugees, have become permanent residents and around 130,000 Filipinos work in Hong Kong as domestic helpers and housekeepers, with other such workers coming from Thailand and Indonesia.
Hong Kong is as of 2006 the fourth most expensive city in the world to live in. The majority of people live in flats (apartments) in high-rise buildings. The rest of the open spaces are often covered with parks, woods and shrubs. About 40% of the land is designated as Country Parks and Nature Reserves.
