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Co-organised by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Faculty of Social Sciences Research Hub of Population Studies and Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the “Symposium on Hong Kong Population Issues: Facts and Policies” was held on April 14, 2026.  Bringing together experts across sectors, including government officials and policymakers, academic scholars, think-tank representatives, and business leaders, this symposium explored how to formulate forward-looking population strategies to address the challenges posed by recent ageing and migration trends, maintain the city’s competitiveness, and build for a liveable city.

The symposium focused on three core themes: ageing, migration, and fertility. Experts unanimously agreed that population issues are not in silos but are structural factors influencing economic resilience and long-term development.  Addressing these challenges requires effective, cross-institutional, and multi-disciplinary approaches.

In her welcome address, Professor Ming Wen, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at HKU, remarked, “This symposium, co-organised with Our Hong Kong Foundation, serves as a nexus of wisdom, fostering dialogues between the academic community and policymakers. We look forward to synthesising these insights and advocacies for a comprehensive societal transformation, thereby forging new pathways to strengthen Hong Kong’s long-term resilience.”

Dr Jane Lee, President of OHKF, in her welcome address: “This is the first time and a treasurable opportunity that we have co-organised a symposium with HKU Research Hub of Population Studies.  Population challenges are no longer issues confined to a single domain, but they are structural challenges that bear on Hong Kong’s long-term development.  We need to gain insight into the deep-seated changes in population structure, identify potential concerns early, formulate forward-looking responses, explore sustainable development, and create a different living environment for the next generation.”

Sub-theme 1: Addressing the Challenges of an Ageing Population: Building a Resilient Society
The first session featured three panellists: The Revd Canon The Honourable Peter Douglas Koon, Legislative Council Member; Dr Libby Lee, Chief Executive of Hospital Authority; and Professor Terry Lum, Henry G. Leong Professor in Social Work and Social Administration at HKU, moderated by Mr Dicky Chow, Assistant Research Director of OHKF.  The panel explored how Hong Kong can respond to ageing challenges through multifaceted collaboration to build an innovative, efficient, and liveable “age-friendly” society.

The Revd Canon The Honourable Peter Douglas Koon, Legislative Council Member, stated: “Hong Kong is entering a period of serious population ageing, which will place heavy pressure on society in areas such as the economy, welfare, and housing. Forward-looking population planning is therefore a matter of urgency.”

Professor Terry Lum, Henry G. Leong Professor in Social Work and Social Administration at HKU, stated, “Population ageing is manageable if policy prioritises regional coordination and life stage mobility to create shared regional benefits, rather than containing ageing within Hong Kong SAR alone.”

Mr Dicky Chow, Assistant Research Director of OHKF, responded: “As the lifestyles of retirees become increasingly diverse, Hong Kong's elderly care policies need to keep pace with the times.  This discussion brought together perspectives from academia, the medical sector and social welfare to explore the respective roles of Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area cities, broaden our imagination of ageing in place, and identify areas for breakthrough in elderly care services — demonstrating the importance of cross-sector collaboration.”

Sub-theme 2: Navigating Population Mobility: Global Talent Acquisition
The second session featured Mr Lam Chun Sing, Legislative Council Member; Professor Eric Fong, Associate Dean (Postgraduate Education), Faculty of Social Sciences and Director of HKU Research Hub of Population Studies; and Mr Loman Luo, Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Quality And Talent Migrants Association, as the panellists, moderated by Mr Kenny Shui, Vice President of OHKF and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute. The discussion explored the challenges and opportunities associated with migration, how to balance overseas talent attraction while retaining and nurturing local talent and professionals, aiming to foster a “win-win” synergy that strengthens the Hong Kong community.

Professor Eric Fong, Associate Dean (Postgraduate Education), Faculty of Social Sciences and Director of HKU Research Hub of Population Studies, said: “The discussions at this symposium clearly demonstrate that the population issues touch upon multiple core aspects of society and it is now imperative to formulate a comprehensive and holistic population policy.  Taking migration policy as an example, we need more well-rounded migration policies to promote the social integration of new arrivals in Hong Kong and to fully leverage their human capital and professional expertise, thereby contributing to the overall development of Hong Kong society.”

Mr Lam Chun Sing, Legislative Council Member, believed “We must pursue both 'precision talent attraction' and 'strengthening local talent' in tandem — setting clear talent lists while also enhancing the training and development of local talent, so as to boost Hong Kong's overall competitiveness while safeguarding local employment opportunities.  We must ensure that incoming talent and local employees enjoy the same statutory rights and benefits, including minimum wage, MPF contributions, leave entitlements and occupational safety, to avoid a 'race to the bottom' that undermines local labour conditions.”

Mr Loman Luo, Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Quality and Talent Migrants Association; Chairman of Hong Kong Talents Group; Non-official Member of the Human Resources Planning Commission of the HKSAR Government, stated: “Hong Kong has always been an international metropolis where opportunities and challenges coexist.  Hong Kong's development cannot do without diverse international talent, and Hong Kong never lets down anyone who comes with dreams and the courage to strive.”

Mr Kenny Shui, Vice President of OHKF and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute, said: “The Government's talent attraction policies in recent years have achieved initial success in terms of numbers.  The next step is to focus on precision selection and retention.  This symposium focuses on how to convert incoming talent into a driving force for Hong Kong's long-term sustainable development, while ensuring that both incoming and local talent grow together to create an inclusive and mutually beneficial future for Hong Kong.”

Sub-theme 3: Boosting Fertility: Empowering Social Vitality
The third session featured three panellists: Hon Lam Lam Nixie, Legislative Council Member; Ms Christa Cheung, Supervisor of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; and Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten, Professor of Social Science and Public Policy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, moderated by Professor Sophia Chan, Senior Advisor of the HKU President’s Office, Professor and Director of HKU Primary Health Care Academy, and Former Secretary for Food and Health (SFH) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The panel explored how to foster a positive social ambience and improve work-life balance to boost fertility rates.

Hon Lam Lam Nixie, Legislative Council Member, urged: “A fundamental shift from coercive pro-natalist incentives—which global evidence shows often fail—to holistic “family support” measures such as affordable housing, flexible working arrangements, expanded childcare, and universal screening.  She specifically advocated enhancing Maternal and Child Health Centre services by introducing on-site postpartum care programs, parental mental health counselling, breastfeeding support hubs, and partnerships with private providers for extended-hour access, creating a seamless cradle-to-childhood support network.  This approach, Lam argued, would rebuild security and balance, transforming low fertility from a dilemma into an opportunity for a more liveable Hong Kong.”

Ms Christa Cheung, Supervisor of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, said: “We need to shift the narrative from demographic numbers to human meaning. Instead of asking why young people aren’t having children, we should ask: what kind of life feels worth building here?  When we create a system that offers stability and opportunity, parenthood becomes a joyful and hopeful choice rather than a risk.”

Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten, Professor of Social Science and Public Policy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, stated: “Low fertility rates are not a problem to be solved in themselves; they are a reflection of many of the challenges that people face in building the lives that they want with work, health, family, and lifestyle in harmony with each other.  The best policies will be grounded in understanding these challenges, and will aim to reframe society to address them.  This requires not just government, but employers, partners, communities and families to be on board.”

Professor Sophia Chan, Senior Advisor of the HKU President’s Office, Professor and Director of HKU Primary Health Care Academy, and Former Secretary for Food and Health (SFH) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, stated: “Fertility is not only a population issue, but also a reflection of the broader social, health, and family environment in which people live.  If we are to respond meaningfully to Hong Kong’s demographic challenges, we must adopt a more holistic approach, one that supports wellbeing, strengthens family-friendly conditions, and enables individuals and couples to make life choices with confidence and hope.”

This symposium envisages establishing a multi-disciplinary exchange platform fostering in-depth dialogues to collectively envision a harmonious, inclusive, and sustainable future for society.

About HKU Research Hub of Population Studies
Launched by the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of Hong Kong, HKU Research Hub of Population Studies aims to provide an understanding of local, national, regional, and international demographic patterns. The Hub focuses on multi-disciplinary research concerning various population-related issues and public policy, addressing the global needs for theoretical, methodological, and practical advancements in population and health research. To learn more about the hub, please visit: https://www.socsc.hku.hk/rhps/.

About Our Hong Kong Foundation
Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) is a non-government, non-profit organisation founded in November 2014 by Mr Tung Chee-hwa, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR. OHKF aims to contribute to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as its sustainable development under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The Foundation has three member organisations: the Public Policy Institute that focuses on public policy research, advocacy, and engagement as a think tank; the Academy of Chinese Studies that promotes traditional Chinese culture and tells the stories of China today, and Hong Kong Chronicles Institute that produces a book series about Hong Kong’s development over time for preserving history and educating the people.
Please visit: https://www.ourhkfoundation.org.hk/en

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