2024 marks the fifth year since HKPORI became independent from the university. This year, beyond advancing public opinion research in Hong Kong, we decided to reposition ourselves, focusing on addressing social issues and developing public education related to opinion polling.

► Topical Studies: Using Data to Address Social Issues

In 2024, HKPORI conducted four topical studies, covering waste charging, fertility intentions, carer support policies, and subdivided units regulations. These studies, initiated by HKPORI, aimed to address ongoing societal discussions.

Our October study on fertility intentions was the first topical project following our repositioning. By examining Hongkongers’ considerations regarding childbirth, we sought to broaden the discussion to include social culture, housing issues, and the education system, all based on empirical data.

In April, our poll on waste charging revealed that public opposition was mainly due to the policy’s implementation timeline. Deliberative polling further suggested that after rational discussion, more citizens supported the concept of waste charging. Therefore, the policy’s failure should not be attributed to public rejection of the idea itself.

In November, we conducted another deliberative poll on carer support policies. The results indicated that after understanding the policies and carers’ experiences, more citizens found the current policies ineffective in assisting carers. Using polling data, HKPORI estimated the carer population in Hong Kong, sparking public discourse on the definition of carer.

In December, in response to the government’s proposed “basic housing units” policy, we launched a poll on subdivided units regulations. The data is currently being analysed, and we look forward to sharing the results soon.

► Qualitative Analysis: Unpacking the Complexity of Public Opinion

In January, for the first time, HKPORI introduced open-ended questions in our online panel survey. These questions explored the reasons behind citizens’ support or opposition to the Chief Executive, as well as their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the government. The answers were visualised using word clouds to highlight the most frequently mentioned terms.

More recently, HKPORI examined public views on the government’s push for the “mega events economy”. Open-ended responses revealed that while citizens were most familiar with the “Night Vibes” initiative, many also expressed having no impression of the events. Among those who described their impressions, the most common term was “waste”.

Throughout the year, researchers actively conducted qualitative analyses of open-ended responses. Respondents often disclosed personal circumstances in their answers, with some providing detailed replies. These insights enriched the context of quantitative survey results, reminding us that public opinion should not be flattened.

► Public Education: Building the Foundation for Rational Discussion

The US presidential election in November once again brought election polling into the spotlight. After pollsters underestimated Trump’s performance in the last two elections, they made technical adjustments. This year’s final polls showed a close race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, but Trump ultimately won by a landslide. This reignited debates about the accuracy of polling.

More importantly, it raised questions about how we should interpret polling data and evaluate its credibility. Taking this opportunity, HKPORI published two “popular science” articles, using plain language to introduce polling knowledge and international perspectives into public discussions. Looking ahead, we will actively promote polling literacy and welcome suggestions from the public on future topics.

► Website Revamp: Building a Platform for Polling Knowledge

Over the past few months, HKPORI has been revamping our website to facilitate data downloads, making polling results more accessible to the public. Additionally, the revamped website supports our public education efforts and will feature guest columns for more open discussions.

The platform includes a members-only section, offering content such as polling knowledge, data analysis, and commentary videos. The new website has officially entered its public testing phase and will be fully launched in January 2025.

► See You in 2025

Over the past year, HKPORI has made significant efforts and even changes in response to Hong Kong’s evolving society. Despite the shrinking resources, we chose to continue conducting self-funded polls on a limited basis, striving to highlight the social value of polling.

In 2024, what may have changed are the frequency and formats of our polls. What remained unchanged is our belief in the value of polling. We hope you will continue to support HKPORI in 2025.

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