Over 70 percent of Hongkongers do not want children, citing financial burdens as the top reason, according to a survey by a women’s rights group.
It revealed that only 28 percent of people want kids, which is 2 percent more than last year.
The survey was conducted by the Hong Kong Women Development Association from January 12 to February 12 this year, interviewing 1,320 residents under 50 years old, and 960 others above that age.
When comparing the results of the past 10 surveys, the number of people who wanted children in the past three years was at a historic low, the association found.
The results also showed that younger individuals are less inclined to have children. Across different generations, only 23 percent indicated willingness in the 19-29 age group, and only 33 percent in the 30-39 age group.
The top reason for not having children is financial burdens, with many fearing that their salary increases will fail to catch up with the quickly growing cost of raising a child due to inflation.
Personal freedoms overtook housing shortage to become the second top reason this year. Other factors include busy work life and insufficient childcare resources.
In recent years, the government has implemented various measures to encourage births in Hong Kong, but the survey found that respondents were not incentivized by the policies.
Services to help couples with fertility problems was voted the least popular, while tax concessions for families with newborns got the second lowest rating.
The Hong Kong Women Development Association suggested the government establish a fund to support families in raising children, implement standard working hours and encourage more family-friendly workplace policies.
(Jamie Liu)
