Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-Chiu, has announced a series of incentives aimed at increasing the territory's dwindling birth rate.
Despite these efforts, the public remains skeptical, citing economic burdens and a lack of confidence in the future.
The government's plan: Cash bonuses and housing benefits
In a recent speech, according to Asianews, John Lee Ka-Chiu unveiled plans that include a one-time cash bonus of HK$ 20,000 (US$ 2,550) for each child born on or after a certain date.
Additionally, the government will help families with newborns purchase subsidized housing, reserving about 10% of auctioned flats for them.
The public's response to these measures has been largely negative.
A 29-year-old woman named Ms. Cheung, who got married this year, stated that HK$ 20,000 is insufficient to raise a child in Hong Kong. Another resident, Mr. Lung, questioned the feasibility of raising a child in a challenging environment like Hong Kong.
A survey conducted by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) revealed that over 53% of women cited economic burden as the main reason for not having a child.
Hong Kong's declining fertility rate
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Hong Kong has the world's lowest fertility rate, standing at 0.8 in 2022.
The local fertility rate has also decreased from 1,281 live births per 1,000 women in 1991 to 772 in 2021.
