Hong Kong, a territory of more than 7.4 million people spread across 263 islands, is facing a growing poverty crisis. Data from the Census and Statistics Department reveals that the number of poor households increased by 22.7% in 2024. Although the government lifted pandemic restrictions in 2022, Hong Kong’s economic performance continues to weaken. The monthly income threshold for a four-person household living below the poverty line is approximately HK$20,800 (roughly $2,680). Rent accounts for about 70% of the median household income. Since 2019, housing costs have increased by an average of 3.3% per year and one in every five Hong Kongers is living below the poverty line.

Elderly Workers and Public Housing

Those aged 65 and above are more likely to experience poverty than any other age group. Rapid shifts in market demand and the rise of new technologies have phased out many blue-collar jobs that older workers once held. Some unemployed residents report struggling to afford even public transportation to reach the few jobs they have left. While public housing offers some relief, rent still consumes up to 20% of residents’ monthly income, leaving many unable to afford shelter and proper nutrition. A government response could help alleviate these conditions. However, according to some observers, due to Hong Kong’s alignment with the Communist Party’s United Front policies, anti-poverty efforts remain underprioritized, while the wealth gap continues to widen.

Poverty’s Impact on Children

Poverty disproportionately affects Hong Kongers aged 65 and above, but the territory’s widening wealth gap is placing more children at risk. According to the 2023 Census and Statistics Department data, 222,600 children under age 18 live below the poverty line. Most of these children come from households with four or more members.

Many low-income children cannot participate in school activities due to financial constraints. A sixteen-year-old student, Bianca Zhang Bao-zhi, said she could not afford to join a school sports team due to the HK$2,000-per-term fee. She expressed frustration at the lack of government subsidies, especially since the programs are tied to educational institutions.

Many low-income families feel that the government should be doing more to address poverty among children. The Children’s Rights Association rated the Hong Kong government zero in 2023 for failing to create effective policies that improve conditions for children living below the poverty line.

Strive and Rise Programme, one of the government’s main poverty initiatives for youth, offers mentorship to students from low-income areas. However, the program has had limited impact. Of the 80 children enrolled, only one in four had met with a mentor assigned to them. Local organizations suggest the program is unlikely to produce long-term change.

Save the Children’s Role in Hong Kong

Save the Children is an international organization operating in more than 120 countries with a mission to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

In Hong Kong, the organization has expanded its work significantly in recent years. Specifically for 2025 to 2027, Save the Children aims to prioritize protection against conflict, climate-related risks and child poverty. Its programs in the region aim to support mental health, education and well-being. Initiatives like Play to Thrive, Heart and Mind and Introducing Social and Emotional Learning to School are active in local schools on Wan Chai Island. These programs serve children from underprivileged communities through structured learning and emotional support activities.

Save the Children is privately funded and often viewed as one of the few large-scale actors working to alleviate poverty in Hong Kong without direct government support.

Firsthand Reflections on Child Advocacy Work

A former volunteer, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke with The Borgen Project and shared insight about their experience: “Save the Children initiatives can differ from nation to nation based on need or focus. All Save the Children programs are known for their humanitarian work. However, Hong Kong is deeply involved in child welfare through education and advocacy initiatives.”

Reflecting on their experience in Hong Kong, the source added, “I worked on the early stages of what is now called the ‘Every Last Child’ initiative. The program worked in advocating for the rights of children within marginalized groups. We often visited schools and orphanages in low-income areas on Wan Chai Island, where Save the Children’s headquarters is located. The activities we did provided educational tools and emotional support for the personal experiences the children were going through.”

The volunteer emphasized the impact of its work, “Do it! The organization has more than 120 offices worldwide, not just in Hong Kong. It is some of the most rewarding work one can do and it will follow you into any career path chosen.”

Looking Ahead

As housing prices continue to rise and the cost of living outpaces wages, poverty remains a persistent issue in Hong Kong. While older generations face increased isolation and job displacement, children in low-income households lack equal access to opportunity. Organizations like Save the Children continue to support vulnerable populations through grassroots programs and school-based initiatives. With sustained attention to education, mental health and youth development, there is hope that current child-focused interventions may contribute to reversing intergenerational poverty in the years to come.

– Mackenzie Inman

Mackenzie is based in Washington D.C., USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr