Editorial | Hong Kong’s daunting task is to become a baby-friendly city

The number of registered births fell steadily from around 53,000 in 2019 to 32,950 in 2022, before rebounding to 33,288 in 2023 and again to 36,767 in 2024. The authorities predicted that the number would reach 39,000, only to see it plunge in 2025 to 31,714. The reversal raises the question of what more it would take to make a lasting difference.

Among the measures that failed to sustain a rise was a baby bonus of HK$20,000 (US$2,565) from October 2023, a tax break and a shorter wait for public rental housing or priority to buy subsidised flats for families with newborns. The government is also setting up more infant and child care centres and continuing to gradually increase in vitro fertilisation (IVF) service quotas in public hospitals.

These are positive measures targeted at couples weighing the commitment and demands of starting or enlarging a family. That said, the issue is more complicated. Population expert Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai of the University of Hong Kong points to higher educational attainment among women, enhancing independence and life choices, and the prevalence of small-family norms in Hong Kong. Yip said the government must address the fundamental reasons people are choosing not to have babies.

Negative factors include economic pressures such as the cost of living, especially housing prices; work-life imbalance that can make parenting challenging; and priorities such as education and career. That said, the city still has a lot to offer families, such as safety, stability, regional and global connectivity and competitiveness.

Population ageing calls for a wider approach that includes a healthy, family-friendly environment as well as incentives aimed at boosting the birth rate. Retaining, nurturing and attracting young talent are all important to Hong Kong’s competitiveness.