78% of low-income elderly Hongkongers have suffered heat-related distress - Greenpeace

A significant majority of low-income elderly residents in Hong Kong reported suffering from physical and mental distress due to extreme heat during the summer of 2026, according to a new survey by Greenpeace. The findings underscore the acute vulnerability of this population to rising temperatures.

The survey, conducted in June and July, involved 127 elderly individuals across seven districts. It revealed that over half live in public rental flats, with a further 35.4 percent residing in "inadequate housing" such as subdivided units or rooftop squatter huts. A considerable 60 percent of respondents live alone or with an elderly partner, increasing their isolation during heatwaves.

Greenpeace campaigner Prudence Yeung described extreme heat as a "silent killer" for the elderly, emphasizing their compromised physiological functions and higher rates of chronic illness. Official data indicates a dramatic 16-fold increase in heatstroke-related hospital discharges and deaths among those aged 65 and above between 2015 and 2024. This alarming trend does not account for other heat-related health issues.

Compounding the risks, over 70 percent of elderly respondents underestimated heat-related health dangers, often believing they were safe if they stayed home. Around a third reported rarely or never using air conditioning, with this figure rising to 55 percent among those in inadequate housing due to cost and lack of units. Alarmingly, nearly 80 percent had not received any heat-related community services in the past two years, and close to 60 percent deemed government support insufficient, with many unaware of any available policies.

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Elderly people are at high risk from extreme heat due to declining physiological functions, and some suffer from chronic illnesses.