Hong Kong's fertility rate in 2020 has dropped to a record low, only 0.87, which means that every woman will give birth to less than one child.
Some members of the Legislative Council are concerned about whether the Government has assessed the situation, formulated warning lines, and studied and introduced new measures to increase the fertility rate.
The Chief Secretary for Administration Li Jiachao said in a written reply that the total fertility rate in Hong Kong has been below the replacement level of 2.1 (that is, to maintain the existing natural population's fertility rate) in the past 30 years. The impact of the epidemic will further decline in 2020. The government is concerned about the situation. However, because childbirth is an important decision for the family, excessive government intervention may not be appropriate, and there has been no warning line on the fertility rate.
Hong Kong's 2020 annual loyalty rate is only 0.87, a record low.
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According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong’s total fertility rate in the past three years was only 0.87 (2020), 1.05 (2019) and 1.07 (2018). That is to say, in 2020, every Hong Kong woman gave birth to less than one child. Fell.
Hong Kong's fertility rate drops further amid the rapidly aging population
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Li Jiachao, responded to Legislative Council members' enquiries in writing today (8th), acknowledging that the declining birth rate and the increase in life expectancy of Hong Kong people have contributed to the rapid aging of the Hong Kong population.
He said that the low fertility rate in Hong Kong is mainly due to the increase in the proportion of single women, late marriages and delayed childbirth, similar to those in Singapore and South Korea. In 2020, the impact of the epidemic will further decline, and this situation is also in other Asian regions. Appear.
Low fertility is a common problem in modern society, especially in Asia including Hong Kong.
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Childbirth is an important family decision. Excessive intervention may not be appropriate
When asked whether the government has established a fertility warning line or introduced new measures to increase fertility, Li Jiachao responded that whether a family considers whether to have children depends on different factors, including personal choices, lifestyle choices, economic and social conditions, etc., he believes Childbirth is an important decision for the family, and excessive government intervention may not be appropriate. Frankly, the government has not established a warning line on the fertility rate.
The government claims that financial incentives alone cannot effectively increase couples’ desire to have children
He emphasized that the government is concerned about the situation, but experience from other parts of the world shows that financial incentives alone cannot effectively increase the desire of couples to have children. He said the government will study more measures to create a conducive fertility environment and promote family-friendly policies. He also mentioned that the increase in salaries tax has been introduced in recent years Measures such as child allowances, improved child care services, and extended statutory maternity leave to 14 weeks.
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Three-child policy: China is afraid of falling into the low-fertility trap, "the hierarchy of needs theory" is working?
Hong Kong's fertility rate dropped to the lowest in history. Facing the population crisis, Taiwan and South Korea faced the same situation. Hong Kong's fertility rate was as low as 0.87. Scholars said that the fertility rate dropped to 0.87 for couples who lack childcare support. 0.87 This year's lower census is expected | Full liberalization is still far from improving fertility. Scholars call for 1 million fertility awards