Hong Kong political parties urge access to fertility services for single women
Parties also say government should extend soon-to-expire newborn baby bonus as births in city hit historic low of 31,100 in 2025
Hong Kong should allow unmarried women to receive assisted reproductive services and extend the soon-to-expire newborn baby bonus, political parties have urged ahead of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s coming policy address and the city’s first five-year plan.
Presenting its proposals to city leader Lee on Friday, Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee’s New People’s Party (NPP) also suggested a progressive bonus for families with two or more children.
The number of registered births in Hong Kong hit a historic low of 31,100 in 2025, despite a range of government initiatives aimed at boosting the city’s fertility rate.
Since its launch, parents of more than 65,000 babies have benefited from the HK$20,000 (US$2,550) newborn baby bonus, with the government distributing more than HK$1.3 billion in subsidies.
The NPP urged the government to extend the programme and introduce a progressive bonus of HK$30,000 for families having a second child, and a further 30 per cent increment for each subsequent child.
“In the national 15th five-year plan, policies encouraging childbirth and population development are also in favour of families with more children,” lawmaker Judy Chan Kapui said.