Hong Kong’s radical plan to reverse record-low birth rates with cash incentives
Hong Kong is taking bold steps to tackle its plummeting birth rates, which now stand among the lowest in the world. A new foundation, launched by economist James Liang, will offer financial incentives and cultural initiatives to encourage families to have more children.
The problem is stark. Hong Kong’s fertility rate hit just 0.772 births per woman in 2021, one of the lowest globally. To counter this, the foundation will provide grants of up to HK$1 million ($128,400) for projects promoting childbirth through cultural and social initiatives. A pilot scheme will also offer HK$50,000 ($6,400) subsidies to graduate students with children.
The foundation’s grants and subsidies aim to ease financial pressures on families. By combining cultural projects, academic collaboration, and corporate incentives, the initiative seeks to reverse the downward trend. The success of these measures will determine whether Hong Kong—and China—can secure a more stable demographic future.
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