Expand assisted reproductive services to unmarried women, Hong Kong lawmaker says amid record low births

2026-02-05 - 23:39

Hong Kong legislator Judy Chan has urged the government to allow unmarried women access to assisted reproductive services amid record low births in the city. Judy Chan. Photo: New People’s Party Chan, a member of the New People’s Party, said in the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Thursday morning that only 31,714 babies registered their births in Hong Kong last year, the lowest ever. The legislator called for policies to promote fertility. “If Hong Kong can make [assisted reproductive services] more inclusive, I believe it could support more families. And we can consider allowing [those who are unmarried] access to assisted reproductive services, in order to assist modern women who wish to give birth,” Chan said in Cantonese. The legislator’s proposal was made as a non-binding motion during a discussion about Hong Kong’s population policies. She also suggested the government provide more tax allowances for families with two or more children, and to give more support for working mothers. In Hong Kong, assisted reproductive services, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), are restricted to heterosexual married couples. Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, (IVFHK) at Prince of Wales Hospital. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The New People’s Party has been advocating the ease these rules. In a paper written ahead of the budget address later this month, the party urged to “moderately relax restrictions” for assisted reproductive services to benefit more families in need. Record low births Citing government statistics, local media reported earlier in January that Hong Kong saw only 31,714 registered newborn babies in 2025. It marks a nearly 50 per cent decrease compared to the figure in 2015, when 60,803 births was registered. According to a document published by the Health Bureau, Hong Kong has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations. The population aged over 65 and over will increase from 1.5 million in 2021 to 2.52 million in 2039, accounting for more than 30 per cent of the city’s population, according to the Health Bureau document. The proportion of “old-old” people – defined as those aged 80 and over – will more than double from 0.4 million in 2021 to 0.93 million in 2039, the document added.