New program aims to strengthen parenting support amid falling birth rates

The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have rolled out a new parenting support scheme featuring a Baby Room Demo Unit for childcare safety training, a Parent Academy with hands-on workshops, Toddler Parent Activities for family interaction, and Community Outreach through advisory booths, open days, and street stalls to promote good parenting practices.

According to the authorities, the first phase of the program will see service stations set up at six government-subsidized nurseries – namely the Women’s General Association of Macau Nursery, the Women’s General Association of Macau First Nursery, Macau Women’s General Association – Dolphin Nursery, the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) Tong Lok Nursery, Creche Fai Chi Kei, and the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) “Lake” Nursery – with the number of participating nurseries expected to expand to 12 next year, thereby increasing community support points.

The program, named “fertility-friendly pit stop” in Chinese, with the aim of fostering a caring environment and encouraging childbirth, was unveiled at its launch ceremony.

Yu Ka Wai, a senior IAS official, told the media on the sidelines of the event that, with the declining birth rate leading to fewer nursery enrollments, the initiative makes use of underutilized nursery spaces. He emphasized that the scheme does not require additional government subsidies or extra human resources, as participating nurseries are able to refurbish and adapt their existing premises using their own allocated funding.

“The program operates entirely on existing resources – no new staff need to be hired and no additional government expenditure will be incurred,” he highlighted.

Macau is set to become the world’s lowest-fertility region in 2026, with a projected total fertility rate of 0.67, according to World Population Prospects data. Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) figures reveal that just 690 babies were born in the first quarter of this year, compared with 673 deaths, leaving natural growth almost at a standstill. In 2025, annual births totaled only 2,871, falling below 3,000 for the first time and declining by more than 20% year-on-year.

With a fertility rate of just 0.7 in 2024–2025, Macau remains far below the replacement level of 2.1.