Hong Kong’s mid-year birth rates fall below 30,000 for the first time despite HK$20k payouts for new parents

In a surprising turn of events, Hong Kong's birth rates have fallen below 30,000 for the first time in the mid-year, despite the government's HK$20,000 incentives for new parents. The figures, released by the Census and Statistics Department, show that 29,709 babies were born from July 2025 to the end of June 2026, marking a significant decline from previous years.

This is a stark contrast to ten years ago, when births averaged 59,863 annually. Despite the government's efforts to promote fertility, the birth rate continues to plummet, even as cash incentives were introduced. The baby bonus scheme, implemented in 2023, offers a HK$20,000 allowance to families for each newborn, provided at least one parent is a Hong Kong permanent resident and the baby is born between October 2023 and October 2026.

However, a recent survey found that the main reasons people cited for not wanting children were the city's education system, political environment, and living space. Critics argue that the handouts are insufficient and point to a lack of childcare options and high costs of raising a child in the city as contributing factors. Lawmaker Nixie Lam has called for more targeted policies to address the pressures faced by women aged 25 to 45, whose considerations play a crucial role in their decision to have a child.

Other measures, such as an expanded tax allowance scheme and priority in the public housing rental queue for parents with newborns, have also been introduced to boost the birth rate.