Police in Hong Kong battled pro-democracy demonstrators on Christmas as unrest is expected to roll into the new year. Many residents have had enough of the sustained protests, are now fleeing the city, and buying homes abroad, reported Bloomberg.

Real estate brokers in top housing markets across the world have reported an uptick in interest in December from Hongkongers:

"There's been an increase in capital outflows from Hong Kong-based investors into other major global real estate markets, with Australia, Singapore, Japan, and the U.S. all seeing an increase in purchasing activity," said Ben Burston, Knight Frank LLP's Australia-based chief economist.

Pro-democracy protests have entered the sixth month, with no end in sight, has thrown the city into a deep economic recession.

The protests started in June over a controversial extradition bill, and have now transformed into a much larger movement that encompasses democratic reforms.