Research and Development Office

Selected Development Project

Project Title

Universalism or Means-tested Benefits for Children and Single Mothers

對兒童及單親媽媽的全民性或有資產審查的福利


Principal Investigator	Prof Chou , Kee Lee

Area of Research Project

Social Studies

Project Period

From 01/2014 To 12/2016

Objectives

To examine the performance of current means-tested cash transfer programs for households with children and single mothers in targeting efficiency and associated cost and thus compare it with 6 proposed universal programs and 35 suggested means-tested programs by static micro-simulation;
To examine the performance of current means-tested cash transfer programs for households with children and single mothers in eradication of poverty and reduction of income inequality and thus compare it with 6 proposed universal programs and 35 suggested means-tested programs by static micro-simulation;
To evaluate the financial sustainability of the existing means-tested program, 6 proposed universal programs and 35 suggested means-tested programs in the coming 30 years by micro-simulation modeling;
To evaluate the recommended cash transfers program by taking into account the results obtained from achieving the above objectives, as well as by considering the social (public acceptance to policy change), economic, and political circumstances of Hong Kong; and
To recommend the most appropriate policy options by taking into account the results obtained from achieving all of the above objectives, and to propose a detailed redesign of the scheme and an appropriate implementation strategy.

Methods Used

To achieve objectives mentioned above, we will perform numerous task including comprehensive literature review and qualitative study involving key stakeholders; conducting a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2,000 households with children or single parents; developing micro-simulation models; performing micro-simulation by using the longitudinal data and other public accessible data; conducting in-depth interviews or focus groups with key stakeholders; and a public opinion survey of 1,067 adults in Hong Kong.

Summary of Findings

higher child poverty rates in immigrant families (36.2%) than in local families (12.1%).
Family structure (single-parent vs 2-parent), assimilation (first vs second generation children of immigrant families), and parental human capital characteristics are significantly associated with the child poverty risk.
the impact of immigrant status on child poverty rates is stronger in 2-parent households than in single-parent households
among immigrant families, children whose father or mother has a university education, children whose father or mother has a high level of English proficiency, and children whose father has a high level of Cantonese proficiency have a lower risk of facing poverty.
for immigrant families they have increased steadily and substantially from 18.1% in 1981 to 36.5% in 2001 and then to 37.5% in 2011.
the increase in immigrant child poverty is associated with changes in the Hong Kong economy that have made it more difficult for such families to adapt to the host society, especially in the 1990s

Impact

In our study, we have found that poverty risk is substantially higher in children living in immigrant families than the ones in local families. It is well-established that child poverty causes various development problems and may result in long-term detrimental effects on children’s adulthood. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, we have suggested that not only low-income subsidy should be provided to these vulnerable families, but early intervention programs such as head start, sure start, and Perry Preschool Program, must be developed and implemented in Hong Kong to enhance the cognitive stimulation of these children. In a consultative meeting for the coming policy address 2014, I have voiced out this suggestion to the chairlady of the meeting, our chief secretary, Ms Carrie Lam.

Output

Publications:

Cheung, K.C.K. (in press). Child poverty in Hong Kong single-parent families. Child Indicators Research.
Chou, K.L., Cheung, K.C.K., Lau, M.K.W. and Sin, T.C.H. (2014). Trend in child poverty in Hong Kong immigrant families. Social Indicators Research, 117, 811-825.
Chou, K.L. (2013). Familial effect of child poverty in Hong Kong Immigrant Families. Social Indicators Research, 113, 183-195.

Biography of Principal Investigator

Professor Chou has wide research interests in areas concerning geriatric psychiatry, elderly policies, population policy especially immigrant policy, poverty, welfare reform, income inequality and health policy. In the past decade, he has published over one hundred papers in international peer reviewed journals. His research work with older adults in Hong Kong and elsewhere has gained him an international profile, with his work cited widely. Since 2009, he worked has ranked in the top one percent of scholars on the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI).

Professor Chou has conducted numerous policy research projects funded by the Research Grant Council (RGC) and the Central Policy Unit, government of Hong Kong. His current research project is a five-year study on retirement income protection in Hong Kong funded by the RGC Strategic Public Policy Research Fund. He is also working on research projects concerning child poverty of children living in immigrant families funded by the RGC Public Policy Research Fund.

Professor Chou is the Associate Editor of Aging and Mental Health, the section editor of BioMed Central Geriatrics and also a Member of the Editorial Boards of the Asian Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development and Journal of Aging Research.

Funding Source

General Research Fund