In Hong Kong, 45 percent of couples have given up on having children due to overcrowding and high housing costs.
Another survey found that 38% of men and 31% of women simply dislike children.Hong Kong has historically been a heavily inhabited territory. The population was around 7,450 in 1841. It had risen to about 5.7 million by 1961.
The population density per square kilometer was astounding: 6,700 persons per square kilometer. Hong Kong now has a population of over 7 million people, with a population density of 6,800 people per square kilometer.
With such a dense population, it's no surprise that housing expenses are exorbitant. A property in Hong Kong now costs more than HK$5 million (US$645,000). Furthermore, the price of a new home has risen by 20% in the last year alone, according to the Rating and Valuation Department.
With such high housing prices, it's no surprise that many Hong Kong couples have abandoned the idea of having children. Aside from the high expense of property, raising a child in Hong Kong is also costly. The Hong Kong government estimates that the average monthly cost of parenting a child from birth to the age of 18 is HK$63,000 (US$8,000).
As a result, it's not unexpected that many Hong Kong couples have decided not to have children. According to a poll performed by the Hong Kong Family Planning Association, 45 percent of couples have given up on having children due to overcrowding and high housing prices. Another survey found that 38% of men and 31% of women plain dislike children.