Survey: Only 23% of Hong Kong Residents Willing to Have Children Due to Economic and Housing Issues
A survey by the Hong Kong Federation of Women found that only 23% of Hong Kong residents under 50 are willing to have children, a 5.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year. The primary reasons cited for low birth intention are childcare costs (98.7%), housing shortages (92.70%), and demanding work schedules (80.60%). The annual survey, conducted since 2014, showed a willingness of 68% in 2016 and 73% in 2017, followed by a continuous decline.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 13:12
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 13:31 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 13:54 (22 min after Collected)
The Hong Kong Federation of Women conducted a "Hong Kong People's Fertility Willingness Questionnaire Survey" between January and February, interviewing 1251 Hong Kong residents under 50 and 1062 residents over 50. The survey found that only 23% of respondents under 50 expressed a willingness to have children, a 5.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year's similar survey. 77% of respondents explicitly stated no desire to have children. The top three reasons for low fertility intention among Hong Kong residents were identified as childcare costs (98.7% of respondents), housing shortages (92.70%), and busy work schedules (80.60%). Lin Huiming, Deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of Women, noted that despite various government policies to encourage childbirth, fertility willingness continues to decline. The Federation has conducted this survey annually since 2014, with historical data showing willingness to have children at 68% in 2016 and 73% in 2017, followed by a continuous decline. Conversely, unwillingness was 32% in 2016 and 27% in 2017, increasing thereafter.