Hong Kong must first tackle present problems before looking to future
Before we think about the future challenges from a workforce shortage, we should first solve the current problems besieging our society. The government recently drew a poverty line, which shows a shocking and increasing number of the city's population living in poverty. Increasing the population without solving the current social and economic problems will only cause misery for many more.
Government initiatives to tackle the issues of the ageing population and low birth rate in Hong Kong are long overdue.
However, before we think about the future challenges from a workforce shortage, we should first solve the current problems besieging our society. The government recently drew a poverty line, which shows a shocking and increasing number of the city's population living in poverty. Increasing the population without solving the current social and economic problems will only cause misery for many more.
Most developed countries will see their population ageing and birth rates declining, often when their people are living very well, regardless of economic wealth measures.
Scandinavian countries are good examples of developed countries where citizens enjoy great health care, private or public education, housing and good work-life balance.
This is in stark contrast to Hong Kong, where perhaps only the top 10 per cent in the income bracket can afford these luxuries. It is no wonder many couples do not want to have children, feel insecure, or can't afford to do so.
A low birth rate in a nation is often interpreted as representing people's pessimism in their country's future during bad economic times.