Hong Kong Faces Record Low Birthrate Despite Incentives

Hong Kong's birthrate plummeted to a record low in 2025, despite a variety of government incentives aimed at encouraging childbirth. The drop is attributed to high living costs and housing, long work hours, and expensive childcare. Incentives included cash bonuses, tax breaks, and improved childcare facilities.

The birthrate in Hong Kong has reached an unprecedented low, falling to 31,714 in 2025, a 14% drop compared to the previous year, despite government measures introduced to boost childbirth rates. This alarming statistic was shared in a government email as mainland China prepares to report similar demographic trends.

Hong Kong remains one of the priciest cities in the world, with exorbitant housing costs, cramped living conditions, extended work hours, and costly childcare driving residents to reconsider family planning or limit offspring to one child. In response, the city implemented multiple initiatives, including HK$20,000 ($2,600) cash bonuses per child, tax incentives, and priority access to public housing.

Additionally, the government committed to expanding the capacity of infant and child daycare centers and increasing quotas for in vitro fertilization in public hospitals. Official birth figures are expected to be published in the early months of the year. ($1=7.7981 Hong Kong dollars)

(With inputs from agencies.)