HK's youth show growing interest in civil affairs, poll reveals

Nine in 10 Hong Kong youngsters are willing to contribute to the city's social development, a youth-affairs group's poll shows.

Breakthrough's study - which polled 1,004 people aged 15 to 29 between November and June - also found a large majority ready to help others even at their own expense. The youngsters also had a growing awareness of and participation in civil affairs.

Almost 90 per cent were willing to contribute to social development, but more than 60 per cent believed the future of Hong Kong would only become worse.

More than 90 per cent believed it a blessing to be able to do something to help people. About 80 per cent were willing to help strangers fight for their rights, and nearly 70 per cent said they would sacrifice their own benefits to help others.

The study, with a margin for error of 3.1 percentage points, showed a positive relation between the levels of altruism and civil awareness and participation. The average score of the respondents' civil participation was 2.4 out of a full score of five - a 25.5 per cent rise from 1.9 in 2007.

Participation in protesting activities was up 30 per cent, while young people expressing opinions on social affairs via media platforms rose 56 per cent.