A new think tank called the Hong Kong Future Economy Institute has been launched to tackle the shortage of experts studying local issues in Hong Kong. The group includes scholars, former officials, and professionals focused on key topics like housing, population, and policy impacts. Michael Bolin Wong, the institute’s director and HKU business school assistant professor, said universities now focus more on global topics. As a result, fewer people research Hong Kong’s urgent problems. “Universities may not be able to address such a shortage … so we need a new model to offer the policy research that Hong Kong requires,” Wong said. Wong stressed the need for better housing policies that help young people. He explained how the current public housing system may cause unfairness and discourage hard work. “We need to design a new housing system for the younger generation,” he added. Wong also pointed out that Hong Kong’s housing market lacks mobility, which is unhealthy for society. The think tank was officially formed in December 2025 but announced recently. It will also study population policies to address challenges from low birth rates, an aging population, and changing demographics due to talent inflows. Professor Sung Yun-wing, associate director, said Hong Kong once had more economists focused on local studies but now the talent pool is shrinking. The think tank aims to provide fresh insights into long-term policymaking. Other key members include Philip Chan Kwan-yee, former Central Policy Unit research director, and Pauline Sung Chan Po-lin of HKU. Chan said the think tank’s role is to bring diverse expertise to help government decisions. “I believe [opening to different voices] is a requirement for Hong Kong’s long-term health.”