Page 15 - Aspire April -2023 Vol 8 / Issue 2

HONG KONG
Policy makers introduce measures to encourage more births including higher child allowance
By Dr Jacqueline Chung Country Representative
The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a decline in fertility rates globally with many couples delaying or cancelling their plans to have children due to financial uncertainties and concerns about health risks associated with pregnancy and child birth.
The pandemic also led to disruptions in fertility treatments with many clinics reducing their operations or suspending them altogether during the peak of the outbreak.
Increased stress related to COVID may also make it harder for couples to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
This trend is particularly pronounced in Hong Kong where the fertility rate has been declining steadily for several years. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation.
According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the total fertility rate decreased from 1,281 live births per 1000 women in 1991 to 901 in 2003 (2002 was the outbreak of SARS).
It then rebounded to 1,285 in 2012, before declining gradually to 1,064 in 2019, and further decreased to 772 in 2021 under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A similar pattern was also observed in other Asian countries.
Jacqueline Chung
Hong Kong policy makers have taken measures to encourage more births in the past few years including increasing the child allowance under the salaries tax.
The Hong Kong Labour Department has also extended the statutory maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14 weeks. Moreover, employers are encouraged to implement family friendly employment practices including paid parental leave and child care services to support working parents.
On 1 March this year, the city’s mask mandate was finally axed. With improvements in the pandemic situation we hope more couples will access the necessary resources to start and expand their families.
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