Hong Kong’s growing wealth inequality: will it be an M- or olive-shaped society?

An ageing society and a widening income gap threaten Hong Kong’s social fabric. In the last of a five-part series on the city’s five-year plan, we look at what can be done to address these key issues. Read part one here, part two here, part three here and part four here.

At 71, Man Chi-ying is the sole carer for her husband, Fung Yu-hoi, a Parkinson’s disease patient.

Fung, who is also 71, has stiff limbs and, on some days, needs his wife’s help getting dressed. She has to hold his hand to keep him from falling. About two months ago, Fung fell and scratched his face while they were out for a walk.

The couple live in a public housing flat in Tsing Yi. They rely on government allowances for the elderly, amounting to a combined HK$8,690 (US$1,108) a month. Their daughter, son-in-law and nine-year-old granddaughter live in Canada.

Man herself is battling multiple health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease, and takes eight types of medication a day.

“I used to believe that I would depend on his care, but it has turned out to be the opposite,” Man said.

“What will happen if something happens to me? Who will look after him?”