Take someone with HK$200,000 in cash and deposits, HK$300,000 in investments, a HK$250,000 MPF balance and a flat worth HK$6,000,000, against a HK$3,500,000 mortgage and HK$50,000 of other debts. Total assets come to HK$6,750,000, the sum of cash, investments, MPF and the property's full market value. Total liabilities are HK$3,550,000, the mortgage plus the other debts. Net worth is assets minus liabilities, so HK$3,200,000. Note that only the equity in the home, HK$2,500,000 here, actually adds to net worth, because the HK$6,000,000 value is offset by the HK$3,500,000 still owed. The MPF counts in full even though it cannot usually be drawn until age 65, because it is still an asset you own.
How it is calculated
Net worth is a simple subtraction: everything you own minus everything you owe. The tool totals four asset buckets, namely cash and deposits, investments, your MPF balance and the current market value of any property. It then totals your liabilities, namely the outstanding mortgage and any other debts. Net worth is the assets less the liabilities, and it can be negative if debts exceed what you own. Using the property's full value as an asset while listing the mortgage as a separate liability is what isolates your true home equity, so the home only contributes the part you have actually paid down. Include the MPF at its current accrued benefit, since it is genuinely yours even though access is restricted until retirement age.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include my MPF in my net worth?
Yes. Your MPF balance is an asset you own, even though you cannot usually withdraw it until age 65. Include the current accrued benefit. For property, use the current market value and offset the outstanding mortgage as a liability, so only your equity adds to net worth.
How should I value my Hong Kong property for this calculator?
Use the current estimated market value, not the original purchase price. You can find an indicative figure from recent comparable transactions on the Land Registry or estate agent listings. The outstanding mortgage balance is entered separately as a liability, so the calculator isolates your true equity.
What counts as an investment for net worth purposes?
Include stocks, bonds, unit trusts, ETFs, structured products, and cash held in brokerage or securities accounts. Do not include any amount you have already counted under cash and deposits. If you hold foreign-currency assets, convert them to HKD at the current exchange rate before entering the figure.
Can my net worth be negative in Hong Kong?
Yes. If total liabilities exceed total assets, the result will be a negative figure. This is common when a property purchase is recent and the outstanding mortgage is still close to the original loan amount. Reducing high-interest debts and growing savings over time will move the figure toward positive territory.