Letters | Hong Kong parents need sustained support rather than one-off bonuses
Readers discuss efforts to encourage Hongkongers to have children, the cost of international schooling, and double standards involved in promoting horse racing
Hong Kong’s fertility policy has recently taken a more proactive turn. Tax breaks, priority housing, childcare support and even a HK$20,000 (US$2,572) baby bonus are intended to ease the burden on young families. But do these measures really address the realities that my generation faces?
But the deeper question remains: are these steps enough to give young people who are still considering parenthood real confidence to go ahead?
Tax policy shows the mismatch. Parents already receive an annual child allowance of HK$130,000. This has now been doubled to HK$260,000 in the first two years. Yet infancy is not when costs peak. Early expenses are modest, while many families lose income as one parent cuts back on work. The real financial burden comes later with school fees, extracurriculars and healthcare. By focusing relief on the first two years, the incentive risks missing the stages when families most need support.
Housing reveals a similar gap. Priority allocation shortens public housing queues, helping grass-roots families, while subsidised flats provide some relief. But middle-class couples who cannot access public housing and must shoulder heavy private mortgages are left outside the safety net. For them, fertility remains a leap of faith.