Following the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections held on Sunday, December 7, Hong Kong’s incoming body reflects a significant generational shift, marked by a notable decrease in the average age of its members. The new legislative chamber, which officially convenes on December 8, 2025, now boasts an average age of 50.9 years, a decrease of 4.1 years compared to the previous term.
This rejuvenation was catalyzed by the voluntary retirement of all incumbents aged over 70, signaling a calculated handover of power to younger figures. Of the 90 seats filled, 12 members aged 70 or above, including prominent figures such as LegCo President Andrew Leung and New People’s Party Chair Regina Ip, chose not to seek re-election, clearing the path for emerging political talent.
Youthful Representation Dominates New Chamber
The analysis of successful candidate demographics, primarily sourced from declarations to the Electoral Affairs Commission, reveals a legislature now devoid of members aged 70 or older. The shift is most pronounced in the directly elected geographical constituencies, where the average age settled at 44.4 years. Five members in this category are in their 30s, including Elaine Chik Kit-ling of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, who secured a seat in Hong Kong Island East.
The youngest member of the new LegCo is 31-year-old Vivian Kong, representing the tourism sector within the functional constituencies. Conversely, the eldest member is Chan Siu-hung, 67, elected through the Election Committee constituency.
The breakdown of average ages by electoral method highlights the diverse impact of the generational change:
- Geographical Constituencies: 44.4 years
- Functional Constituencies: 52.1 years
- Election Committee Constituency: 53.3 years
The functional constituencies and the Election Committee, while slightly older on average, still saw substantial cooling. Specifically, eight members across the entire council are now in their 30s, with five of these individuals being directly elected. These youthful additions include Chan Wing-yan and Kwok Fu-yung in New Territories South West.
Context and Implications
This demographic change stands in stark contrast to the previous LegCo term. Data recorded up to October of the current year showed the outgoing chamber’s average age was 55, with the youngest member being 35-year-old Chan Wing-yan and the oldest being Liberal Party veteran Tommy Cheung at 76.
Despite the overall lowering of the average age, the new council still includes seasoned political figures. Five members are aged 65 or above, four of whom were elected via the Election Committee, including re-elected veteran Lau Chi-pang.
The data used for this demographic assessment relied on publicly disclosed information. For a small number of candidates, including Michelle Tang Ming-sum and Lee Ka-kui, public age information was unavailable, meaning the final average calculations were based on the 87 known ages.
This marked generational transition suggests a deliberate move toward integrating younger perspectives into the legislature. Political observers note that this influx of members in their 30s and 40s could influence the long-term policy priorities and legislative approach of Hong Kong, potentially focusing on issues more relevant to the newer generation of constituents.