Number of babies born in Hong Kong rises by 11% to 36,700 in 2024

The number of babies born in Hong Kong reached 36,700 last year, an 11 per cent jump from 2023, following the introduction of a government scheme that gives parents a HK$20,000 (US$2,570) cash handout for each newborn.

The figures, announced on Tuesday, put government spending for the reward scheme at about HK$734 million last year.

While the number of births grew for the second year in a row after an uptick in 2023, the level was still the third-lowest since data was first made available in 1961.

The Census and Statistics Department also announced that the city’s population rose by 0.1 per cent to just over 7.53 million.

A government spokesman said the population grew for the third consecutive year.

“Continuing to benefit from various measures on talent attraction and labour importation, many people moved to Hong Kong from mainland China and other places around the world throughout 2024,” he said.