Newborn Baby Incentive Scheme shows positive impact compared to 2023

The government launched the "Newborn Baby Incentive Scheme" in 2023, providing a cash reward of HK$20,000 for each eligible newborn.

In response to media inquiries today (Jan. 17), the office of the Chief Secretary for Administration reported that there were 36,767 births in 2024, an increase of 3,479 compared to 33,288 in 2023. This marks an end to the declining birth rate trend observed over the past two years, indicating that the policy has successfully attracted young families to have children.

The office further noted that of the 36,767 newborns last year, 31,708 were eligible to apply for the incentive. October was the month with the highest number of births, totaling 3,544, followed by December with 3,333 and November with 3,323.

Looking back over the past decade, the number of newborns in Hong Kong has been on a continuous decline, dropping from 62,000 in 2014 to 56,000 in 2017. The situation worsened during the pandemic, with live births falling below 40,000 in 2021, recording only 38,684. The birth numbers for 2022 and 2023 were 32,950 and 33,288, respectively. However, the total of 36,767 births in 2024 indicates a reversal of the declining trend in birth rates.

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