According to Hong Kong media reports, the annual millionaire survey report just released by Citibank shows that the number of people in Hong Kong with liquid assets of HK$1 million or more reached a record high of 601,000 last year, an increase of 14% from the previous year. This accounts for approximately 11% of the total adult population, meaning at least one in every ten Hong Kong residents is a millionaire. Their average total asset value reached seven figures, at HK$13.1 million. Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that the most profitable investments last year were stock trading and property sales.
Analysis suggests that the economic stimulus policies introduced by the Hong Kong government following the 2008 financial crisis, such as relaxing the Individual Visit Scheme, attracting professionals, and the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, have led to rapid appreciation in property and stock market assets, playing a significant role in Hong Kong's sustained economic growth. Among the newly minted millionaires, almost all respondents participated in investments, with 51% stating that stocks were their most profitable investment last year, followed by property (18%).
Drawing on last year's experience, when looking ahead to this year's preferred investment products, 52% of respondents chose stocks as their top priority, a sharp increase of 70% compared to last year. Given the wide variety of choices in the Hong Kong stock market, where financial products generally offer higher returns, it is highly suitable for investment immigrants to select and invest in.
As one of the world's financial centers, Hong Kong possesses a more mature, prosperous, and free financial market than the mainland. Shifting investment destinations from the mainland to Hong Kong is a way to reasonably optimize asset portfolios. As of the end of 2012, thousands of investors have processed the "Capital Investment Entrant Scheme" through Worldway Immigration and have all obtained residency qualifications.
