Sad Brits warning for those eyeing a move

An economist has warn parents that their unhappy children may not be happier even if the family moves to Britain.

Professor Ho Lok-sang, a senior research fellow at the Pan Sutong Shanghai-HK Economic Policy Research Institute of Lingnan University, said he had been conducting an annual survey on happiness since 2006 and had been struck by Hong Kong people's resilience after the 2008 global recession.

On RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong yesterday, Ho quoted a recent study by the Boys and Girls Clubs Association, which found that Hong Kong children's happiness had fallen to its lowest level in five years, and warned against expecting Britain to be any better in the happiness index.

"The 2020 Good Childhood Report from the UK also noted that average happiness with life among 10 to 15 year olds continues to decline and that 15 year olds in the UK are among the saddest and least satisfied with their lives in Europe," Ho said. "This suggests that migrating to the UK is unlikely to make our children happier."

The survey using data from a 2018 poll showed Britain ranked lowest of 24 European countries for the proportion of children with high life satisfaction, ninth for the proportion with high happiness, 23rd for low sadness and 24th for having a positive sense of purpose in life.

"If your mind is not at peace, anywhere you go, you will still not feel at home," he said.

Ho added that Hongkongers should instead "nurture a mind that can be at ease with ourselves."

Since its launch in January, more than 35,000 British National Overseas passport holders from Hong Kong have applied for Britain's five-year visa scheme. The program allows them to apply for settled status after the five-year stay, and citizenship after an additional 12 months.

About 350,000 Hongkongers hold BNO passports and a further 2.5 million are eligible for one.

With an additional 2.5 million dependents, up to 5.4 million Hongkongers could apply for the visa and a path to full British citizenship.

The fast track was introduced after China imposed the national security law in Hong Kong in June last year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move honored Britain's "profound ties of history and friendship" with its colony.

The British Home Office has forecast that between 123,000 and 153,000 BNO citizens and their dependents will apply in the first year.

However, the government noted that if the current rate of Hongkongers applying for a visa continues, the applications may exceed 150,000 in the first year.

On April 8, communities secretary Robert Jenrick said 43 million (HK$460 million) had been earmarked for a supporting package to the BNO holders emigrating to Britain.

"This program will ensure BNO status holders and their families have the very best start as soon as they arrive, and support to help them find a home, schools for their children, opportunity and prosperity," Jenrick said.

The program will also provide 12 virtual "welcome hubs" across Britain to offer advice and help with administrative matters including schooling, health care and business registration.

carine.chow@singtaonewscorp.com