During the last half century, Hong Kong has developed from a colonial trading port into a modern industrial society.

Nowadays, schooling is free and compulsory to age 15. Over 90% of teenagers complete high school or equivalent vocational education. One-quarter go on to universities and colleges in Hong Kong; many thousands study abroad. Hong Kong’s universities are ranked among the best in Asia. The highly literate population support a lively mass media in Chinese and English.

Public health and medical care provisions give Hong Kong some of the world’s highest life expectancies and lowest infant mortality rates.