Hong Kong’s newborn grant will rise to HK$30,000 for a second or later child under a three-year extension approved by the Finance Committee. The committee approved an additional HK$1.6 billion for the scheme.
The first-child grant remains HK$20,000.
Government figures submitted to the Legislative Council showed that, by the end of August 2026, 77,709 applicants had received HK$1.554 billion. Against an approved commitment of HK$2.286 billion, about HK$732 million remained.
During the committee discussion, Kowloon Central legislator Yang Wing-kit proposed a different, more progressive schedule: HK$30,000 for a first child and HK$40,000 for a second. His proposal was not the approved change.
The deputy chief secretary said the government would review the scheme’s effectiveness after two years and consider adjustments if they could make the grant more flexible and use funds appropriately. He said a surplus, or the aim of spending the full allocation, would not by itself justify a new policy. A decision on whether to continue the scheme would depend on its results after the three-year extension.
Annual administration costs are expected to rise from about HK$800,000 to HK$2.4 million. The deputy chief secretary said departments would absorb the cost, which includes upgrading computer systems and hiring staff to process the revised payments.
The deputy chief secretary said parents who already have children and then have twins would receive two HK$30,000 grants. If twins are the parents’ first children, the total would be HK$50,000: one HK$20,000 first-child grant and one HK$30,000 grant.