Nearly 79 percent of low-income elderly residents in Hong Kong experience physical or mental distress during periods of extreme heat, while many remain unaware of heatstroke risks and available government support, according to a survey by Greenpeace.
The study, conducted in June and July, surveyed 127 elderly individuals, with 78.7 percent reporting at least one heat-related issue affecting their health, mood, or sleep. The environmental organization highlighted a widespread lack of heatstroke awareness combined with signs of energy poverty among vulnerable populations.
Over 70 percent of respondents underestimated heat risks, with some believing that remaining indoors eliminated heatstroke dangers or admitting they were unaware of the hazards altogether. Due to a lack of cooling appliances or the financial burden of high electricity bills, 36 percent reported that they never or rarely turned on air conditioning during heatwaves, while 5.5 percent stated they were hospitalized in the past year due to extreme heat.
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Prudence Yeung, a campaign activist for Greenpeace, identified high temperatures as a silent threat for older adults whose physiological responses may be impaired or complicated by chronic conditions. Citing official figures obtained from the Hong Kong Department of Health, Yeung noted that hospital discharges and deaths related to heatstroke among patients aged 65 and older grew 16-fold between 2015 and 2024, rising from four to 68 cases.
The organization criticized Hong Kong authorities for not establishing dedicated adaptation policies or inter-departmental coordination mechanisms to protect elderly populations from rising temperatures. The survey revealed that nearly 80 percent of respondents had not received community heat-relief services, such as home visits, heatstroke prevention education, or cooling supplies, over the past two years.
The findings follow a record-breaking summer for the region. On August 9, Hong Kong registered its highest temperature since official record-keeping began in 1884, reaching 36.9 °C at the Hong Kong Observatory. The region also faces shifting demographics; in 2025, Hong Kong recorded approximately 31,100 births, marking a 15.3 percent decline and the lowest annual figure recorded since 1961.
