Lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng, chairman of the Women’s General Association, highlighted that the Year of the Dragon, which was expected to boost the birth rate, did not significantly influence residents’ willingness to have children. Wong emphasized that the long-term low birth rate will present severe challenges to Macau’s social sustainability.
Looking ahead, Wong called for the SAR government to take a more proactive and leading role in addressing the issue. She recommended the establishment of a comprehensive and systematic mechanism to encourage childbirth, including the integration of various policies related to marriage, childcare, and housing support. Wong also suggested the implementation of immediate administrative measures, such as providing bonuses and subsidies for parents with newborns and young children, as well as supporting businesses in offering additional family-friendly benefits.
