A recent analysis indicates that youth participation in Hong Kong’s uniformed groups has experienced an 8% decline over the last five years. Despite consistent government financial support, these organizations—which include groups like the Scouts and Girl Guides—are struggling to maintain enrollment levels. Analysts and stakeholders point to two primary drivers for this trend: the city’s persistently low birth rate, which has reduced the total pool of school-aged children, and an increasingly competitive landscape of extracurricular activities that offer students more variety than traditional uniformed programs.

The decline has sparked a debate among lawmakers regarding the oversight of public funds. Some legislators are advocating for the implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent effectively and that these groups remain relevant to the modern student population. However, this proposal has met with resistance from some organizations. Representatives from these groups have expressed concern that tying funding directly to membership numbers could be counterproductive, potentially penalizing groups that are already facing demographic headwinds beyond their control. The discussion highlights a broader tension between the government’s desire for measurable accountability and the practical challenges faced by youth-serving institutions in a changing social environment.