Jonny Fan

Originally published by Yi Cai.

Against the backdrop of declining global fertility rates and accelerating population aging, the New Generation Population Research Institute(新世代人口研究中心)—a research institution dedicated to population and fertility issues—was recently established in Hong Kong.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

The institute is positioned as an interdisciplinary and cross-regional platform for research and cooperation. It is committed to studying population and fertility through vital lenses that extend beyond traditional demographic indicators, such as:

• Reproductive Ethics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Culture and Religion

Founders and Expert Network

The New Generation Population Research Institute was co-founded by Fan Xin, a researcher of reproductive concepts and a philanthropist, and Wang Ling, a former senior journalist at Yicai (First Financial).

The Institute brings together a diverse group of scholars and experts from domestic and international fields—including demography, sociology, and ethics—to jointly explore new pathways for healthy population development through interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Challenge of Low Fertility

In recent years, low fertility has become a global challenge. The total fertility rate in many countries and regions has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. While some regions have attempted to intervene through economic subsidies, tax incentives, or childcare support, the subsequent rebound in fertility rates has remained limited.

Wang Ling, the Institute’s Chief Researcher, noted that humans are living individuals with emotional will and a quest for meaning. Therefore, reproductive behavior is influenced not only by economic factors but also by various non-quantitative variables such as:

“Values, social expectations, cultural environments, and religious beliefs—specifically variables at the level of values and meaning—are becoming crucial factors in explaining the differences in reproductive behavior.”

Future Research and Objectives

The research focus of the institute lies precisely in these factors that have long been difficult to quantify within policy research. The institute aims to:

• Integrate multi-field findings: Combine research from demography, sociology, psychology, and public policy.
• Develop new models: Explore a more comprehensive, multi-dimensional research model for population and fertility.
• Promote public discourse: Launch thematic studies, academic forums, and research reports.
• Foster cooperation: Facilitate cross-regional academic collaboration and the exchange of global experiences.