The New Territories and Kowloon will be Hong Kong's main growth areas in the coming decade, according to the Planning Department's latest population distribution projections.

The population of the New Territories and Kowloon is forecast to grow by 308,800 and 259,100 in the next decade, reaching 3.95 million and 2.29 million by 2018, while Hong Kong Island is expected to rise from 1.31 million to 1.35 million.

Kowloon's share of the population will rise from 29% in 2008 to 30% in 2018, while Hong Kong Island's figure will drop from 19% to 18%. The New Territories' share will stand at 52%.

Sha Tin is projected to remain the most populous district in the next decade, reaching 683,600 or 9% of the total population in 2018.

Sai Kung will experience the greatest population growth, with 91,800 more people bringing its total to 509,500 in 2018.