72% of Hong Kong residents under 50 unwilling to have children
Economic pressure, housing shortage, busy work schedules and desire for greater freedom cited as contributing factors
Only one in four Hongkongers under 50 are willing to have children with economic concerns cited as the main obstacle, a survey has found, as many also blamed the government’s insufficient policy support for families.
The Hong Kong Women Development Association (HKWDA) polled 1,320 residents aged below 50 between January and February this year and found just 28.1 per cent expressed a desire to have children.
The group on Tuesday attributed the slight 2.1 per cent jump compared with last year to the government’s measures aimed at encouraging childbirth and a boosting effect in the auspicious Year of the Dragon.
But the percentage was still the third-lowest in a decade, a huge drop from the peak of 73 per cent in 2017.
“The top factor affecting fertility is the economic situation. Many people feel that childcare costs are rising faster than their salaries,” said Karen Law Yuen-pui, deputy chairwoman of the association, noting that over 92 per cent of respondents cited economic pressure of raising children as the biggest barrier.
Other major factors included the housing shortage, busy work schedules and a desire for greater freedom.
