https://www.scmp.com/rss/12414/feed Paul Yip is the founding director of the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, and a professor at the university's Department of Social Work and Social Administration. His interests include suicide prevention, population health and poverty research. He serves as the secretary general of the Asian Population Association and the research chair of the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. He was a part-time member of the Central Policy Unit and a member of... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Paul Yip,Harrison Sit Paul Yip,Harrison Sit Student mental health is a matter of great concern. According to the latest data from the Education Bureau, the number of secondary students with mental health issues has doubled over the past five years, from 660 in 2020-21 to 1,330 in 2024-25. In recent years, the government and various stakeholders in society have worked to halt the continued rise in student suicides. However, the number of suspected suicide cases still rose by 10 per cent between 2024 and 2025, from 28 to 31. To help... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350606/10-ways-hong-kong-schools-can-effectively-promote-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350606/10-ways-hong-kong-schools-can-effectively-promote-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Paul Yip,Raymond Lap-Ming Tang,Isabel Chau Paul Yip,Raymond Lap-Ming Tang,Isabel Chau Hong Kong’s new budget is positioned to foster high-quality, inclusive growth through innovation and finance. Ahead of projections, a surplus of HK$2.9 billion (US$370.8 million) is now expected, largely due to the stronger-than-expected stock market and tax receipts. Reflecting a sound fiscal approach and forward thinking, the 2026-27 budget will maintain an operating surplus and allocate about 60 per cent of recurrent spending to vital sectors such as health, social welfare and education. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3345183/why-hong-kong-must-make-mental-health-immediate-economic-priority?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3345183/why-hong-kong-must-make-mental-health-immediate-economic-priority?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Paul Yip Paul Yip Mainland China’s and Hong Kong’s birth rates fell to record lows last year, despite extensive government incentives to encourage larger families. In Hong Kong, registered births fell 14 per cent to a historic low of 31,714 in 2025. Notably, the increase in births in 2024 may have been due to the auspicious Year of the Dragon. It is believed that babies born in the dragon year will grow up to be smart and successful. This is likely to have affected the timing of births as seen in Hong Kong during... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3341016/hong-kong-must-tackle-challenges-super-aged-society-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3341016/hong-kong-must-tackle-challenges-super-aged-society-head?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Paul Yip,Wendy So Paul Yip,Wendy So September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a vital global call to action that unites communities worldwide – including individuals, organisations and those with lived experience – to initiate crucial conversations and reaffirm our collective role in preventing suicide. This day is aligned with the 2024-2026 triennial theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, which urges us to challenge the stigma and misconceptions that too often silence those in need. Although this essential work... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324764/how-safer-hong-kong-can-change-narrative-suicide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3324764/how-safer-hong-kong-can-change-narrative-suicide?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:30:08 +0000 Paul Yip Paul Yip The Top Talent Pass Scheme is a well-intentioned and much-needed scheme to meet the challenge posed by the trend of outward migration that Hong Kong has seen in recent years. It is designed to enrich the city’s human capital – especially in the field of innovation and technology – and enhance its overall economic competitiveness. Reflecting the government’s resolve to attract talent, the scheme is highly applicant-friendly. It represents a kind of “open door policy” for immigration. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3320643/hong-kong-needs-real-talent-not-troublemakers-and-misfits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3320643/hong-kong-needs-real-talent-not-troublemakers-and-misfits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 01:30:07 +0000 Paul Yip,Li Yang,Raymond Lap-Ming Tang Paul Yip,Li Yang,Raymond Lap-Ming Tang A major challenge facing Hong Kong is how to address the problem of wide income disparities, which affect the overall well-being of the community. The arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potentially adverse impact on middle-class jobs may further exacerbate inequality. Since 1981, Hong Kong’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has increased over eightfold, affirming its status as a financial centre. However, low-income groups have not shared in the economic prosperity. In fact,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3313952/hong-kong-must-end-its-tale-two-cities-thrive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3313952/hong-kong-must-end-its-tale-two-cities-thrive?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 01:30:07 +0000 It is not unusual to see families go out for a meal together but each one is looking at their phone instead of talking to each other. While we enjoy staying connected with each other via social media, the whole community is suffering from its negative effects. The heavy use of digital devices and social media platforms has led to alarming consequences for young people. In Hong Kong, the most recent Student Health Service annual health report highlights concerns that “excessive and inappropriate... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3305693/dont-leave-parents-suffer-fallout-social-media-overuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3305693/dont-leave-parents-suffer-fallout-social-media-overuse?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:30:07 +0000 A recent spate of student suicides in Hong Kong has reignited public anguish and concern over the mental well-being of the city’s youth, especially with regard to a possible contagious or copycat effect. As chairman of the 2016 government-appointed student suicide prevention committee, I am compelled to revisit our findings and call for urgent collective action to contain any likely spread. The 2016 report explicitly appealed for a holistic and public health approach to suicide prevention. What... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301983/amid-spate-youth-suicides-hong-kong-must-weave-safety-net?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3301983/amid-spate-youth-suicides-hong-kong-must-weave-safety-net?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Mar 2025 01:30:08 +0000 Population figures released by the Census Statistics Department this month show that Hong Kong’s population has risen by 0.1 per cent to just over 7.53 million, the third straight year it has increased. Our population size seems to be stabilising, unlike in Japan or mainland China, where populations are shrinking. However, upon examining the three key components of population growth – births, deaths and net migration – some trends require attention, despite a lack of discussion in the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3300060/hong-kongs-population-stabilising-no-theres-room-grow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3300060/hong-kongs-population-stabilising-no-theres-room-grow?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:30:09 +0000 In the ongoing conversation about fertility and family planning, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is often highlighted as a beacon of hope for the many couples grappling with infertility. The common argument is that it will help lift Hong Kong’s low fertility rate. However, this is a false hope. The additional babies born because of widely accessible IVF comprise only a small percentage of the total births in countries such as Denmark, the Czech Republic and Israel. The potential impact of IVF on... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3287324/expecting-ivf-solve-hong-kongs-population-problems-misguided?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3287324/expecting-ivf-solve-hong-kongs-population-problems-misguided?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Nov 2024 01:30:08 +0000 Youth mental wellness has emerged as an important public health concern, particularly given the worrying rise in Hong Kong’s youth suicide rate between 2019 and 2022. A slight rise in the rate year on year was recorded in 2023. Over half of suicides among Hongkongers under 15 years were linked to broken families, underscoring the impact of an unstable environment on children’s well-being. In Hong Kong, youth suicide notes have revealed a troubling sense of hopelessness, reflecting the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3284968/hong-kong-government-cant-turn-tide-youth-disenchantment-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3284968/hong-kong-government-cant-turn-tide-youth-disenchantment-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:30:08 +0000 World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10. This year’s theme is workplace mental health, which emphasises its importance for not only individuals but also organisations and communities. Hongkongers work some of the longest hours compared to other developed economies, leaving people with little time to rest, let alone enjoy leisure. Furthermore, according to Oxfam Hong Kong’s latest poverty report, over 200,000 working poor live in our city, more than half of whom are employed... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3281440/hong-kong-must-ditch-work-hard-now-pay-health-later-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3281440/hong-kong-must-ditch-work-hard-now-pay-health-later-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Oct 2024 01:30:08 +0000 Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide remains a major public health problem and it is estimated that more than 700,000 people worldwide die due to suicide every year, with countless others being profoundly affected by each death. Suicide has far-reaching social and economic consequences. Preventing it is under one of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN. In 2023, more than 1,000 people died by suicide in Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3277676/lets-change-narrative-mental-health-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3277676/lets-change-narrative-mental-health-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Sep 2024 01:30:08 +0000 In an era where online interactions have become the norm alongside face-to-face conversations, a recent proposal by US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy for cautionary labels on social media platforms is a resounding call to action. The push sends an important message that we in Hong Kong and others must acknowledge. Social media is no longer just a playground for teenagers. It has become a central aspect of their social lives, and we see this trend in our city. Adolescents engage with social... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3267188/could-social-media-warning-labels-help-protect-hong-kong-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3267188/could-social-media-warning-labels-help-protect-hong-kong-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jun 2024 01:30:10 +0000 To set the minimum wage, the Hong Kong government is adopting a new mechanism based on a formula which uses the latest consumer price index (A), as well as 20 per cent of the difference between current gross domestic product growth and average GDP growth over the past 10 years, subject to a cap of 1 percentage point. The new formula has several advantages. It does away with the need to spend resources on collecting data or expend time on debates in the Minimum Wage Commission. The formula... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3261562/hong-kongs-minimum-wage-increase-should-be-stepping-stone-fight-against-poverty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3261562/hong-kongs-minimum-wage-increase-should-be-stepping-stone-fight-against-poverty?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 May 2024 01:30:11 +0000 Hong Kong’s population grew by 0.4 per cent from 7,472,600 in 2022 to 7,503,100 at the end of 2023, according to the Census and Statistics Department’s latest report. It is the second consecutive year of growth after the decline in 2021. The number of deaths continued to outnumber births, however, resulting in a natural decrease of 21,200 people. The growth last year was mainly because of migration – the city recorded a net inflow of 51,700 residents. Of these, 40,800 were one-way permit holders... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3253294/hong-kongs-population-growth-should-prompt-some-soul-searching?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3253294/hong-kongs-population-growth-should-prompt-some-soul-searching?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Feb 2024 21:30:13 +0000 During a US Senate hearing on January 31, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologised to parents for the harm caused to their children by Facebook’s content. He expressed his regret by saying, “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through” while parents held up photos of their children who had died following sexual exploitation or harassment on social media. Both Facebook and Instagram, which are owned by Meta, have faced criticism for not effectively addressing the known harmful effects of social media... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/world/article/3251729/we-all-have-duty-ensure-our-teenagers-are-safe-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/world/article/3251729/we-all-have-duty-ensure-our-teenagers-are-safe-online?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Feb 2024 01:15:14 +0000 In their Christmas messages, Catholic Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan and Anglican Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming reminded us to show empathy towards one another and promote a culture of tolerance and forgiveness, especially in response to the increasing suicide rate among our teenagers. The recent surge in youth suicide is not unexpected given the prevailing sense of hopelessness. There is a lack of support in many dysfunctional families, and the overuse of social media and prolonged disruption... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3246280/hong-kong-youth-need-empathetic-and-forgiving-society-flourish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3246280/hong-kong-youth-need-empathetic-and-forgiving-society-flourish?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Dec 2023 01:30:21 +0000 Hong Kong’s fertility rate has dropped to not just a record low for the city but also the lowest globally – with no sign of a rebound. This is raising concerns about its ageing population and the wider demographic challenges in the future. To tackle this, the government is putting forth measures including a HK$20,000 (US$2,555) cash bonus for newborns and prioritised subsidised housing for couples with a newborn. This is a good start as the government is showing some commitment and leadership in... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3239447/baby-cash-and-priority-housing-hong-kong-needs-family-friendly-society?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3239447/baby-cash-and-priority-housing-hong-kong-needs-family-friendly-society?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Oct 2023 06:30:19 +0000 Since the start of the new school year, there has been a distressing increase in student deaths across Hong Kong, affecting young people from primary school all the way through to university. The situation is similar to the suicide cluster of 2016. These tragic incidents are a desperate plea for help and highlight the urgent need to address young people’s emotional well-being. The online emotional support system Open Up conducts an annual survey to track changes in their well-being. The latest... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3238395/brewing-mental-health-crisis-hong-kong-must-help-its-youth-speak-about-their-troubles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3238395/brewing-mental-health-crisis-hong-kong-must-help-its-youth-speak-about-their-troubles?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Oct 2023 01:30:18 +0000 It is encouraging to see many in the community appealing for a second chance for young offenders in Hong Kong. While it is important to provide job opportunities for them after they have served their sentences, it is also crucial to make the incarceration period meaningful to better equip our young people for life. The primary objective of any punishment is to rehabilitate offenders; this is also a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism. A recent site visit to Koper Prison, which was organised... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3236435/more-humane-approach-prison-life-offers-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3236435/more-humane-approach-prison-life-offers-lessons-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:30:09 +0000 Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide has become a major public health issue, and an international collaborative effort is required to reduce the number of deaths. Each year, more than 700,000 people die of suicide globally. In 2022, Hong Kong’s toll from suicide was over 1,000, with young people and older adults among the groups most at risk. The Covid-19 pandemic was massively damaging to the city’s mental health, especially for vulnerable, marginalised and underserved people. Hong... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3233572/hong-kong-needs-all-hands-deck-prevent-suicide-and-create-brighter-future-our-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3233572/hong-kong-needs-all-hands-deck-prevent-suicide-and-create-brighter-future-our-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Sep 2023 22:15:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s population growth is facing significant challenges, the biggest being the city’s low fertility rate and an ageing society. According to the government’s latest population projections, the total fertility rate stood at 0.772 births per woman in 2021, well below the replacement level of 2.1, and is expect to decline further and remain at a lower level in the future. The latest survey from the Hong Kong Family Planning Association also showed that the average number of children per... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3231882/hong-kongs-low-fertility-rate-shows-urgency-creating-more-family-friendly-society?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3231882/hong-kongs-low-fertility-rate-shows-urgency-creating-more-family-friendly-society?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Aug 2023 00:15:09 +0000 In Hong Kong, the number of poor people and the size of the poverty gap seem to have worsened in recent years. As the city grapples with the challenge of poverty, perhaps we can learn from Guizhou, a previously impoverished province that has transformed itself into a region of hope and confidence. It boils down to making use of the area’s unique characteristics, building up inclusive economies and making the government more efficient and effective in responding to residents’ daily needs. During... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3230296/guizhou-offers-hong-kong-lessons-building-bridges-and-tackling-poverty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3230296/guizhou-offers-hong-kong-lessons-building-bridges-and-tackling-poverty?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Aug 2023 00:15:08 +0000 Pop star Coco Lee’s death by suicide has been a shock to fans in Hong Kong, across Asia and beyond. Reports suggest there were signs of common risk factors for suicide in her life, such as her long struggle with depression, recovery from major surgery and the aftermath of her divorce. All these factors are known to have an adverse effect on a person’s mental health. Lee’s death is another reminder of the impact of depression. Early prevention and intervention are crucial to mitigate its effects.... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3227146/coco-lees-death-reminds-us-fame-and-success-are-no-protection-mental-health-struggles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3227146/coco-lees-death-reminds-us-fame-and-success-are-no-protection-mental-health-struggles?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2023 00:15:11 +0000 After the recent tragic events involving people who appeared to be struggling with mental health issues, the Hong Kong government has taken prompt action, asking the Health Bureau’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health to look at issues related to the model for psychiatric, rehabilitation and support services as well as manpower needs. While addressing the manpower shortage in health services is important, it is equally critical to comprehensively review Hong Kong’s mental health and related... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3223816/deal-hong-kongs-mental-health-struggles-increasing-manpower-not-enough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3223816/deal-hong-kongs-mental-health-struggles-increasing-manpower-not-enough?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:15:08 +0000 As human civilisation has evolved under the rule of law, women’s reproductive rights have gradually become an internationally recognised fundamental human right. With the global population hitting 8 billion last year, the United Nations Population Fund’s latest report expresses concern about the drawbacks of population control measures that harm women’s right to make autonomous decisions about their own body, particularly on reproductive issues. The report urges respect for individual choices... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3220090/population-policies-must-put-womens-reproductive-rights-front-and-centre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3220090/population-policies-must-put-womens-reproductive-rights-front-and-centre?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 May 2023 14:00:18 +0000 Last year marked the first time in 60 years that China’s population declined, falling to 1,411.8 billion from 1,412.6 billion in 2021. The nation’s birth rate also hit an all-time low: in 2022, 9.56 million babies were born, a decrease of 9.98 per cent from 10.62 million in 2021. This equated to a birth rate of just 6.77 births per 1,000 people, compared to 7.52 in 2021. With the deepening demographic crisis expected to have far-reaching effects on economic growth, authorities are scrambling for... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3210006/legalising-births-outside-marriage-wont-boost-chinas-dwindling-population?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3210006/legalising-births-outside-marriage-wont-boost-chinas-dwindling-population?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:15:09 +0000 The government has pledged to engage Hong Kong’s youth. The youth policy released by Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen listed more than 160 measures to be implemented. It is important to have an accurate understanding of young people to set the right type of policies. It is a humbling experience to try to find out what went wrong in the past and why engaging with the government has little to no appeal to the younger generation. Our young people are very diverse, and it is... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3208743/hong-kong-must-heed-voices-its-restless-youth-secure-its-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3208743/hong-kong-must-heed-voices-its-restless-youth-secure-its-future?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Feb 2023 03:30:09 +0000 China’s population in 2022 stood at 1.4118 billion, 850,000 less than in 2021, and the first drop in 61 years. There were 9.56 million births last year, or 6.77 per 1,000 people, while the number of deaths was 10.41 million, or 7.37 per 1,000. The resulting rate of natural population growth is minus 0.6 per cent. Also, because the number of people moving onto the mainland is much smaller than the number of people leaving, it is very likely that population growth will gradually decrease. This... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3207382/china-unlikely-see-baby-boom-boosting-population-quality-should-be-focus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3207382/china-unlikely-see-baby-boom-boosting-population-quality-should-be-focus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:15:08 +0000 Hong Kong recently announced its first youth blueprint. Commissioner for Youth Wallace Lau Ka-ki suggested the government would like to “provide an enabling environment for young people to unleash their full potential”. Hong Kong needs its young people to secure its future, and our new generations need more opportunities, more support and, more importantly, a real sense of hope for their future. This generation is like no other. They are growing up in a fast-changing digital era, and Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3204649/remember-hong-kong-youths-mental-health-when-making-blueprint-their-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3204649/remember-hong-kong-youths-mental-health-when-making-blueprint-their-future?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:15:08 +0000 According to the latest United Nations projections, the world’s population has now reached 8 billion people. That number could grow to around 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion by 2050 and 10.4 billion by 2100. In 1987, it stood at only 5 billion. The global population growth rate has slowed from more than 2 per cent in the 1970s to less than 1 per cent today. The drastic demographic transition is mainly a result of the substantial reduction in the total fertility rate, which stood at more than 5... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3199937/world-population-passing-8-billion-people-cry-rebalance-global-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3199937/world-population-passing-8-billion-people-cry-rebalance-global-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Nov 2022 02:15:08 +0000 A recent court case of a man killing his terminally ill wife has brought our attention to the debate around euthanasia again. Undoubtedly, no one would want to see such disheartening tragedy happen again. The question is whether euthanasia is really the only way out for these families with seemingly unsolvable suffering. Are there any better options to alleviate their pain? Many people who support legalising euthanasia, or doctor-assisted suicide, would argue that severely ill patients should... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3193888/more-empathy-understanding-needed-euthanasia-conversation-can-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3193888/more-empathy-understanding-needed-euthanasia-conversation-can-start?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:35:07 +0000 Hong Kong knows it must build its local talent pool to remain globally competitive. Yet in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to assess the skills of 15-year-olds around the globe, Hong Kong fell from its previous rankings in 2012. More worryingly, a survey conducted in 2021 found that more than 50 per cent of secondary school learners showed signs of depression. While we can debate how to change our... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3192480/reform-hong-kongs-education-system-should-start-less-focus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3192480/reform-hong-kongs-education-system-should-start-less-focus?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Sep 2022 22:45:10 +0000 September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide prevention is a global challenge. Suicide ranks consistently among the 20 highest causes of death globally across all age groups. Locally, suicide is among the 10 leading causes of death and it is the leading cause among people aged 10 to 29. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on people’s emotional well-being, especially the young, elderly and unemployed. Mental health has become a global priority, with the pandemic... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3191625/prevent-suicides-we-must-all-become-beacons-light-those-suffering?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3191625/prevent-suicides-we-must-all-become-beacons-light-those-suffering?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Sep 2022 22:45:10 +0000 The Covid-19 pandemic has had a severe economic, social and emotional impact around the globe. But, while much of the world is returning to some kind of normal, Hong Kong is still searching for a way out. Of course, the large number of deaths among older adults during the fifth wave earlier this year was tragic and must not be repeated. Yet, in contrast, young people who are infected with the coronavirus tend to suffer relatively mild symptoms and have a good prognosis for recovery – but they... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3190709/hong-kong-schools-must-remain-open-despite-surge-covid-19-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3190709/hong-kong-schools-must-remain-open-despite-surge-covid-19-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Sep 2022 01:15:55 +0000 Every year, there are around 15,000 subsidised places at eight universities in Hong Kong. This means that even though the cohort of 43,000 Diploma of Secondary Education students this year is the smallest on record, some 28,000 will still not gain admission to subsidised degree programmes. Since the 2017/2018 academic year, the government has offered a non-means-tested subsidy of around HK$32,000 to students pursuing undergraduate degrees, with the aim of easing the financial burden. However, no... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3188369/hong-kong-schools-must-focus-mental-health-produce-resilient-adults?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3188369/hong-kong-schools-must-focus-mental-health-produce-resilient-adults?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:45:11 +0000 A leading local bank recently interviewed 630 people with current assets of more than HK$1 million to understand their views on the costs of starting a family. Based on the results, the bank estimated that the average annual cost of raising a child in Hong Kong is HK$284,000, which translates to around HK$6 million to support a child until they are 22, and able to be financially independent. This is a dramatic increase of about 50 per cent from the HK$4 million reported by the same bank 16 years... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3186861/how-much-does-it-really-cost-raise-child-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3186861/how-much-does-it-really-cost-raise-child-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jul 2022 05:30:23 +0000 At the inaugural ceremony for Hong Kong’s government, President Xi Jinping said the city’s future depends on our young people. So it is our duty to prepare them to help Hong Kong achieve its sustainable development goals and cope with an ageing population. This means strengthening their skills and training. Looking back at Hong Kong’s youth policy over the past 25 years, there is much room for improvement. Although education and social welfare expenditure has increased over that period, it has... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3185329/five-areas-where-john-lee-can-improve-lives-hong-kong-youth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3185329/five-areas-where-john-lee-can-improve-lives-hong-kong-youth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Jul 2022 01:15:18 +0000 As we mark the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China, the wealth gap in Hong Kong continues to widen, a challenge facing many developed societies. As the city’s economic activities shifted from manufacturing in the 1970s and 80s to today’s professional and hi-tech services, it was inevitable that the split in income between different labour force groups would widen. As former leader Deng Xiaoping would say, letting some people get rich first and then enlarging the economic pie... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3184567/five-steps-hong-kongs-new-leader-can-take-tackle-income-inequality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3184567/five-steps-hong-kongs-new-leader-can-take-tackle-income-inequality?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Jul 2022 00:15:20 +0000 There is a general consensus that the pandemic has disproportionately affected the mental health of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Yet the specific interplay of pre-existing social determinants of mental health, such as ethnicity or socioeconomic status, and the impact of the pandemic, has been little explored. Other factors, such as vaccination rates, have also affected the trajectory of children’s mental health during the pandemic. Our study, conducted in the United States and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3176327/lessons-hong-kong-and-us-new-study-child-mental-health-during-covid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3176327/lessons-hong-kong-and-us-new-study-child-mental-health-during-covid?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 May 2022 22:45:14 +0000 China’s population grew by just 0.34 per thousand head of population in 2021, one of the lowest rates in the past few decades. Further, population growth is likely to turn negative for 2022 and China will become a super-aged society by 2035. Proposals are being discussed to boost marriage and child-bearing, including giving monthly subsidies to families with more than one child and providing free kindergarten care for the third child in every household. Providing support to alleviate families’... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3174858/zero-population-growth-need-not-spell-end-chinas-prosperity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3174858/zero-population-growth-need-not-spell-end-chinas-prosperity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:30:19 +0000 There were 14 cases of reported suicides among those aged 61 and above within a recent seven-day period in Hong Kong, against an average of around three per week in the past year. This exceeded the crisis level on the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention’s early warning system for the first time since it was launched in 2020. The sudden spike is a serious wake-up call about mental wellness, especially that of older adults. The pandemic has already brought anxiety, sadness and anger, not to... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3172213/sick-social-distancing-hong-kong-elderly-have-it-worse-and-they?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3172213/sick-social-distancing-hong-kong-elderly-have-it-worse-and-they?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Mar 2022 22:45:12 +0000 The latest census figures suggest the proportion of Hong Kong’s population aged 65 or above has increased from about 7 per cent in 1981 to 20 per cent in 2021. That means one in five people in the city is elderly. The main reason for this is that post-war baby boomers – those born between 1950 and 1960 – are gradually entering old age. Among the elderly population aged 65 or above, the proportion aged 85 or over has risen from 5 per cent in 1981 to 16 per cent in 2021. This is expected to... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3170423/hongkongers-are-living-longer-not-healthier-ageing-population-puts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3170423/hongkongers-are-living-longer-not-healthier-ageing-population-puts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Mar 2022 01:15:20 +0000 The latest figures from mainland China show that population growth has slowed, and the country’s overall population could start to decline very soon. China is still the world’s most populous country, with more than 1.4 billion people, but births fell from 12 million in 2020 to 10.62 million last year despite population control policies being further relaxed. Despite the government promoting a three-child policy with more generous benefits, China’s birth rate fell to a record low of 7.52 births... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3164623/china-can-learn-live-its-shrinking-population-it-cant-stop-trend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3164623/china-can-learn-live-its-shrinking-population-it-cant-stop-trend?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:45:18 +0000 Outsourcing work can be an efficient way of operating for large corporations, and the practice has been widespread for many years. One thing that is often overlooked, however, is the well-being of outsourced workers. While outsourcing can be cost-effective for employers, given its flexibility in employment practices, it can be detrimental to employees and relationships. Given that it is only a short-term working arrangement, the relationship with workers might not appear to matter. In the long... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3160801/hong-kongs-poor-and-outsourced-workers-need-better-wages-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3160801/hong-kongs-poor-and-outsourced-workers-need-better-wages-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Dec 2021 01:45:20 +0000 The appeal of the new head of Hong Kong’s Catholic diocese Stephen Chow Sau-yan to repair divisions in society after the polarising events of the 2019 social movement is timely and relevant. It is indeed a call for everyone to take some responsibility for the damage done, and take ownership of the road to recovery. As of June 30, the police have arrested more than 10,200 people for their participation in the anti-extradition protests. It is estimated that at least 6,000 were youth under the age... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3158783/heal-hong-kong-start-young-protesters-jailed-2019-social-movement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3158783/heal-hong-kong-start-young-protesters-jailed-2019-social-movement?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2021 02:30:20 +0000 The latest Hong Kong poverty report has confirmed the continual worsening of the situation in the city. The poverty rate and total number have reached their highest level since 2009, with more than 1.65 million people – 23.6 per cent of the population – living below the poverty line, which is defined as less than 50 per cent of the median monthly household income. Previous studies show that changes in poverty are related to several factors, including population growth, an ageing population and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3156229/poverty-report-shows-hong-kong-failing-its-most-vulnerable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3156229/poverty-report-shows-hong-kong-failing-its-most-vulnerable?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Nov 2021 22:45:18 +0000 Family is the core unit of every society, and it plays an especially important role in Chinese society. Family should be a place of safety and comfort. However, many in Hong Kong are facing difficulties, including health issues among family members, financial disputes and divisions within the family, especially in low-income households. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these difficulties. Suicides at home are common in Hong Kong. According to our recently published article in the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3155396/suicide-prevention-should-start-home-every-hong-kong-household?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3155396/suicide-prevention-should-start-home-every-hong-kong-household?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Nov 2021 01:15:17 +0000 The beginning of the academic year is a time for starting anew. Tragically, for some, it is a time for ending their lives. It is tempting to interpret the timing as a sign that school stress is the culprit. However, there is rarely a single cause of death by suicide since multiple factors are at play over time to influence suicidal thoughts and behaviour. When we hear about a suicide, attention is often directed towards the individual’s characteristics and immediate circumstances, but temporal... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3154007/how-exercise-and-music-can-promote-students-mental-health-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3154007/how-exercise-and-music-can-promote-students-mental-health-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Oct 2021 22:15:11 +0000