The average number of children for couples in Hong Kong has dropped to 0.9, and the family planning committee will promote comprehensive packages to encourage births
[Now News Channel]The Family Planning Association found that the average number of children of Hong Kong couples has dropped to 0.9, a record low. It is recommended that the government provide financial support, and large companies should also take the lead in implementing family-friendly policies to encourage childbearing.
Hong Kong’s fertility rate is the lowest in the world. What are the considerations for having children?
Residents: “The current Hong Kong environment, money issues, land issues.”
Citizen: “The main reason is my own self. I don’t think I have the ability to raise a child and bring them up.”
Citizen: “Maybe you have to have enough money for him to go to preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and cram school. I also need to make sure he has enough extracurricular activities.”
From September to December last year, the Family Planning Association interviewed more than 1,500 married or cohabiting women aged 15 to 49, as well as about 1,000 women’s partners. Years ago it rose to 22%, and the percentage of women who did not want to have children or did not want to have children also dropped from 67% to 55%.
The Family Planning Association recommends that women should make childbearing planning as early as possible.
Lin Huixiang, executive director of the Family Planning Association: “It seems to be a cliché, but I don’t mean that they should plan now when they are 40 years old. Time is running out, but when they are young, tell them early when they have a higher chance of having children. The chances or difficulties of having children at any age may increase, which can actually help the public plan ahead.”
Although there is an increase in the number of people who want to have children, there is a difference from the reality. The average number of children for Hong Kong couples has dropped from 1.3 five years ago to 0.9. The FPA urges the government to provide comprehensive packages and support.
Yip Siu-fai, Honorary Advisor and Chairman of the Research Subcommittee of the Family Planning Association: “On the one hand, it is said that financial support is important, on the other hand, they all feel that the responsibility of raising children is great, and they all talk about education, so what we are talking about is not One method to deal with a diversity problem, we need a diversity method to deal with a diversity problem.”
The Family Planning Association believes that fertility-related health services should be improved so that couples who intend to have children can afford them, and the society should work together to create a family-friendly environment.
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2023-08-15 14:56:15
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