Schools with shrinking pupil numbers should look at mergers to ensure their survival, Hong Kong education authorities have said.

The Education Bureau on Monday highlighted it was predicted there would be a 15 per cent fall in the pupil population over the next six years.

The bureau signalled it would reduce the number of schools in a “gradual and orderly manner” to ensure the best use of taxpayers’ money – but did not give a figure for how many would be axed.