Youth Think Tank Urges Dedicated Chapter for Young People in HK's First Five-Year Plan
RTHK · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago7 MIN
Summary
The Youth Innovation & Research Repository (青年創研庫), under the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Associations (香港青年協會), has released research titled "Insights from Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan for Youth Development." The survey, conducted via online questionnaire from July 15 to 28, 2026, collected responses from over 600 youth aged 15-34. Results show that respondents gave an average life satisfaction score of 5 out of 10, with nearly half expressing concern about high daily living expenses and over 36 percent worried about heavy housing burdens. The research comes as the HKSAR government prepares to release Hong Kong's inaugural Five-Year Plan, which covers six consultation areas. Youth Development Group Convenor Poon Chi-fung (潘子鋒) has recommended that the government establish a dedicated youth chapter within the planning document, create a youth-friendly zone in the Northern Metropolis, and set up a Future Committee to engage young people in discussing medium to long-term issues such as demographic changes and technological development.
Key Points
- Nearly half of surveyed youth are dissatisfied with current living conditions, citing high daily expenses and heavy housing burdens as primary concerns
- Over 83 percent of respondents believe youth have a responsibility to express opinions on social planning, while nearly 62 percent think Hong Kong's planning is relevant to their personal lives
- About 62 percent consider official explanations of planning insufficient, with over 47 percent questioning whether the current system can effectively absorb voices from different classes
- More than half of respondents ranked "livelihood and social development" as their top priority among six consultation areas, ahead of economic and innovation sectors
- Only about 50 percent expect to settle in Hong Kong in 10 years, reflecting waning confidence in the city's prospects among the younger generation
Why It Matters
The findings highlight a growing disconnect between government planning and youth expectations, with the majority of young Hong Kongers feeling their voices are not being heard in decisions that will shape their future. If the government fails to address these concerns in the Five-Year Plan, it risks further alienating a generation already uncertain about their prospects in the city, potentially accelerating brain drain and undermining long-term social stability. The proposed establishment of a youth chapter and Future Committee could provide crucial channels for young people to participate in shaping Hong Kong's development trajectory, ensuring that the city's next generation feels invested in its future .
The findings highlight a growing disconnect between government planning and youth expectations, with the majority of young Hong Kongers feeling their voices are not being heard in decisions that will shape their future. If the government fails to address these concerns in the Five-Year Plan, it risks further alienating a generation already uncertain about their prospects in the city, potentially accelerating brain drain and undermining long-term social stability. The proposed establishment of a youth chapter and Future Committee could provide crucial channels for young people to participate in shaping Hong Kong's development trajectory, ensuring that the city's next generation feels invested in its future .