In fact, a recent study shows that Hong Kong has come from 998 registered start-ups in 2014 to over 2800 in 2018, with eCommerce (22%), Fintech (12%), Software (12%) and Advertising (11%) companies comprising the majority.

[23] The Economic Freedom of the World Index lists Hong Kong as the freest economy, with a score of 8.58 based on data from 2022.

[24] Hong Kong's economic strengths include a sound banking system, virtually no public debt, a strong legal system, ample foreign exchange reserves with assets of US$481.6 billion represent over six times the currency in circulation or about 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3 as at the end of March 2022,[25] rigorous anti-corruption measures and close ties with mainland China.

[29] Its economy is slightly larger than Chile's or Romania's[30][31][32] and its GDP per capita at purchasing power parity was the twelfth highest globally in 2023.

[33] By the late 20th century, Hong Kong was the seventh largest port in the world and second only to New York City and Rotterdam in terms of container throughput.

A skilled labour force coupled with the adoption of modern British/Western business methods and technology ensured that opportunities for external trade, investment, and recruitment were maximised.

[36] Hong Kong raises revenues from the sale and taxation of land and through attracting international businesses to provide capital for its public finance, due to its low tax policy.

[43] Hong Kong's economic policy has often been cited by economists such as Milton Friedman and the Cato Institute as an example of laissez-faire capitalism, attributing the city's success to the government having a relatively low level of involvement in the economy.

All land in Hong Kong is owned by the government and is leased to private developers and users on fixed terms, for fees which are paid to the state treasury.

[45] Moreover, as demonstrated in the regulation of finance companies in the 1970s and 1980s, the principle of positive non-interventionism in practice involved the government intervening in markets, albeit often hesitantly and belatedly, when the public interest was perceived to be threatened.

[46] In 2020, Hong Kong was ranked as the world's second-freest economy after Singapore in the Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Heritage Foundation.

[47][48] The index measures restrictions on business, trade, investment, finance, property rights and labour, and considers the impact of corruption, government size and monetary controls in 183 economies.

[50] On the other hand, the Canadian-based Fraser Institute continues to rank Hong Kong as the freest territory as late as 2024 (based on data from 2022).

The central and local government believe that this law, which safeguards national security as Article 23 states, will enable Hong Kong to transition from stability to prosperity.

Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Central Government's Liaison Office, stated that the city can now fully commit to developing the economy and improving the livelihoods of residents, thanks to the "iron wall" of its domestic national security law.

[60] Raising this threshold helps account for changes in costs of living, which directly effects individuals ability to obtain basic necessities across countries.

Although cash handouts raise households above the poverty line, they are still struggling to meet certain standards as the cost of living in Hong Kong steadily increases.

The Legislative Council in Hong Kong most recently approved the revision on the SMW rate to increase to HK$37.5 per hour, effective 1 May 2019.

Over the past decade, residential Hong Kong property prices have increased close to 242%, with growth finally starting to decelerate in 2019.