Letters | Hong Kong needs more than expanded maternity leave to boost its birth rate

I still remember the catchy Family Planning Association slogan “two is enough” from a few decades ago. Now the tide has turned. Hong Kong has an ageing population and a low birth rate. The government has been trying to reverse this trend with family-friendly policies, the latest being the four-week extension of maternity leave which took effect on December 11.

This is a welcome move, as Hong Kong’s family welfare standards are low compared to those in other advanced societies such as Japan, which has long offered 14 weeks of maternity leave, and South Korea, which offers 90 days for a single birth or 120 days for twins.

The latest amendment to Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance comes after a long battle fought by women’s and labour associations. But the dual impact of political unrest and Covid-19 on the economy has left many struggling to get by and reluctant to bring babies into a world riddled with virulent problems and uncertainties.

The dwindling birth rate will not solved by catchy slogans or even an increase in parental leave, which, on their own, do little, if anything, to relieve working women’s stress. Defusing social problems and crises would be a start. Better day care and childcare, equal treatment for pregnant or new mothers in the workplace, tax breaks, and improved community and financial support for parents with young children would go a long way.