https://www.scmp.com/rss/514892/feed Bai Yiming is a research assistant in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. In the past two years, she has been engaged in research work on population health and sustainable economic development. She has a master's degree in social sciences. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 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 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 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 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