During the 1980s, Hong Kong was known for its wealth and lifestyle. Politics, entertainment, and skyrocketing property prices would make Hong Kong a global phenomenon. Hong Kong’s population reached five million just at the beginning of the 1980s, and grew by 1.3% per year over the next decade. By the end of the decade, the population increased by 700,000 to 5.73 million.
During the early 1980s, there were public outcries over decreasing wages caused by a large influx of immigrants from the mainland. Due to the uncertainty of the 1997 handover, citizens of Hong Kong were beginning to emigrate in large numbers to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Approximately 21,000 people left Hong Kong permanently each year between 1980 and 1986. By 1987, that number had risen to 48,000 people a year.
Below are some stunning photos by Dave Glass that capture the street life of Hong Kong in 1986 and 1987.
