Youth membership in Hong Kong uniformed groups drops 8% over 5 years

Youth membership in Hong Kong's uniformed groups has decreased by 8% over the last five years, according to the South China Morning Post. This decline, occurring despite consistent government funding, is attributed to Hong Kong's low birth rates and an increase in alternative extracurricular activities for students. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau provides significant subsidies to these groups, totaling HK$86 million for the 2024-25 academic year, to foster positive values and development. In response to the membership drop, some lawmakers are proposing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure responsible use of public funds. However, uniformed organizations express concern that tying funding directly to membership numbers could impede their growth.