City leader says government to consult public and ‘collect wisdom’ before deciding whether incentive measures should carry on
2-MIN READ2-MINMatthew ChengPublished: 8:30am, 15 Jun 2026Updated: 8:32am, 15 Jun 2026The Hong Kong government will conduct a consultation on its slew of pro-baby incentives amid persistently low birth rates, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said, noting that delayed marriage and cultural shifts are limiting the effectiveness of such policies.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.The HK$20,000 (US$2,552) newborn baby bonus, introduced in 2023, is due to expire in October.
In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post, Lee said the government would consult the public and “collect wisdom” before deciding whether to continue with incentive measures.
Since its launch, the parents of more than 65,000 babies have benefited from the programme, with the government distributing over HK$1.3 billion in subsidies.
Lee stressed that the multipronged policy, which also includes higher tax allowances and the strengthening of the childcare service system, represented a major policy shift from a passive approach to one that actively encouraged childbirth.
