The population of the New Territories and Kowloon is forecast to rise 11% and 10% over the next decade, reaching 3.96 million and 2.22 million by 2016, the Planning Department says.

The Projections of Population Distribution 2007-2016 report published today said Hong Kong Island's population will rise only marginally, from 1.27 million to 1.28 million.

The New Territories will make up 53% of the total population in 2016, compared to 52% last year. Hong Kong Island will fall to 17% from 19%. Kowloon's share in the total population will remain at around 30%.

Sha Tin will still be the most populous district over the next 10 years, with 687,300 inhabitants by 2016, compared with 607,100 last year. Yuen Long will experience the greatest population growth, gaining 116,600 more people over the next decade to reach 650,200.

Yuen Long will have the lowest median age of 38.7 years among all districts in 2016, while Wong Tai Sin will have the highest median age of 45.8 years.

To read the full report, click here.