As China’s political crackdown on Hong Kong continues at great pace, thousands are packing their bags and leaving the city-state altogether

Hong Kong’s population numbers have fallen for the third consecutive month to 7.9 million, with Beijing tightening its grip on the once independent territory,

Younger generations and families are leading the charge, with a 1.2 percent decline recorded over the last six months – or around 90,000 residents.

Hong Kong’s government has attributed the departures to the ongoing pandemic and associated travel restrictions.

However, some experts say it’s the prosecution of anti-government protestors, China’s continuing transformation of the education sector and its crackdown on tech that is to blame.

The declining population follows the British government announcing plans to allow as many as 3 million Hong Kong residents to settle in the UK and eventually gain citizenship.