Key facts
- Hong Kong announced 11 new measures to encourage childbirth.
- The cash bonus for second and subsequent children increased to HK$30,000.
- The existing HK$20,000 newborn cash incentive will continue for three more years.
- Tax deduction for second and later children raised to HK$160,000.
- Stamp duty relief of up to HK$20,000 available for eligible families buying homes around childbirth.
- In vitro fertilization service quotas to increase to 1,900 per year.
Hong Kong is implementing a suite of 11 new measures, including enhanced financial incentives and housing support, to address its declining birth rate. Chief Executive John Lee announced the initiatives as part of his 2026 Policy Address.
The centerpiece of the new package is an increased cash bonus for families with a second or subsequent child, raising the payout to HK$30,000 from the previous HK$20,000 for babies born on or after September 16. The existing HK$20,000 reward for any new baby will be extended for another three years.
In addition to cash bonuses, the government is increasing tax benefits. The child allowance tax deduction for second and later children will rise from HK$140,000 to HK$160,000. Furthermore, an additional allowance for the first two years after a child's birth will also be increased to HK$160,000.
Housing support for new parents includes up to HK$20,000 in stamp duty relief for eligible families who purchase a home within one year before or two years after childbirth. Families with newborns will also receive priority in the allocation of subsidized housing and mortgage concessions, with the maximum loan-to-value ratio for White Form applicants increasing to 95% starting from the next sale program.
Medical and social support services are also being expanded. The Hospital Authority will gradually increase quotas for in vitro fertilization (IVF) services to 1,900 per year over the next three years. Free pre-natal, post-natal, and parenting classes will be offered across community health centers, and the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong will launch campaigns promoting healthy childbirth. By the end of 2030, three new subsidized standalone child care centers are planned, adding approximately 1,800 day care places for children aged zero to three. The after-school care program will become permanent with no quota limit from the 2027/28 school year, and authorities will enhance professional support for preschool care services and provide transportation assistance.