Hong Kong to set official poverty line  

香港整体穷人数目下降 港府扶贫委员会将订贫穷线

香港特区政务司司长林郑月娥14日表示，随着法定最低工资的落实，香港的整体穷人数目下降。

Hong Kong (CNS) -- About 1.15 million people in Hong Kong were living in poverty last year, 55,000 fewer than in 2010, announced the Hong Kong Council of Social Service on Sunday.

Hong Kong does not have an official poverty line, so the council set its own line at half the median household income, which amounts to HK$3,500 for one person and HK$13,250 for a household of four.

Based on that standard, the overall population living in poverty in 2011 decreased by 0.8 percent year-on-year, while the number of elderly poor grew by 0.2 percent, which means that 288,000 seniors struggled to make a living.

The city will create a Commission on Poverty to set a credible poverty line, and poor seniors will be given subsidies, said Chief Secretary Carrie Lam.