One of the required texts in Hong Kong’s secondary school education, written by Yin Haiguang, presciently described a pyramid of four layers representing the meaning of life. That most Hong Kong people fail to attain the highest level — aspirations for the greater good — is a reflection of a crumbling education system and how difficult it is to survive financially in Hong Kong. Currently, the mean income of HK$14,000 (US$1,800) will take 20 years of extreme austerity to save up for the first deposit of an apartment of 400 square feet in Hong Kong, and that is not taking into account that apartment prices soar more quickly than salaries. Most bright young minds become doctors, lawyers, and investment bankers because of higher salaries that allow them to afford an apartment, get married, and raise a family. Few were able to express their talents in the most effective way, so that math whizzes often prioritize medicine in university applications. Many medical school graduates vie for highly competitive training programs in specialties such as ophthalmology and radiology because of fewer working hours and better salaries in the private sector. Those who have worked diligently for years showcase their new apartments and luxury brands. For them, it is ironclad proof that their time spent studying textbooks and passing grueling examinations year after year was worthwhile. Few mention any passion for improving society or having the relevant expertise to do so. And those who dream of having a higher purpose in life often leave Hong Kong.

If you look closely at the healthcare profession, you can see that nepotism is rife in Hong Kong. It is not uncommon to hear from newly appointed doctors that competitive training positions are being filled by those with the “right family background”. The descendants of well-off families with extensive business ties or those related to well-known academics in the healthcare profession obtain most of the competitive training spots. Most of the young doctors complain about a lack of transparency in the selection process which should uphold meritocracy as in Britain and Singapore. Nepotism is ubiquitous in the world, but in Hong Kong, it is particularly damaging, given the sheer size of the region. Inter- and intra-family ties among the wealthiest are so deeply entrenched that healthy competition among the young generation is stifled. Interests in financial kickbacks have waned, but the desire to set up their offspring to be successful has waxed. This situation, however, has left the unaided majority to fight fiercely for the meager places unfilled by the rich generation. The bitterness among the middle-class majority is now palpable because of a system that does not reward talent and hard work sufficiently. Eventually, this results in the wealth and social gaps being widened further. This is particularly worrying in the healthcare industry as medicine was always considered to be the profession that most values perseverance and is least affected by favoritism.

The cornerstone of any revamp in the system should be to focus on creating incentives for the younger generation to succeed

Why then, should we care about meritocracy and aspirations? Take psychiatrists, for instance. Those in the US talk about their passion in eradicating the opioid endemic and other substance abuse disorders. But their average apartment prices are only one-third of those of Hong Kong, and this frees them from the mental burden of worrying about basic living. A system that provides incentives for this extra mental capacity therefore enables them to contribute to society. A more-even hierarchy also encourages innovative ideas to be published in academia; their aspirations can help promote theories that can blossom into policies that will have an impact on society. Rigorous peer reviews in journals and adequate checks and balances in the political system ensure the quality of policies and allow accountability when things go wrong. Health professionals can feel empowered that their ideas will make a difference to other people’s lives on top of their daily routine of clinical duties. Psychiatrists in Hong Kong talk about completing residency so they can go into the private sector and lead comfortable lives. Their job satisfaction lies in seeing all the designated cases being done in time so they can leave the workplace with minimal delay. We should give credit to psychiatrists on both sides who have worked so hard to get into medical school but who are concerned about what is causing this discrepancy among the brightest minds in society.

The situation in the medical field may also apply to most other industries more pervasively. Being an international financial hub boosted Hong Kong’s economy. But as more money trickles to the rich than to the poor, the majority of citizens’ lives and their level of happiness have not improved significantly over the last decade. Our complacency in Hong Kong’s reputation blinded us from developing sustainable industries such as domestic scientific research. Hong Kong is lagging behind other places around us. Past government officials invested in politically safe but short-term goals, such as infrastructure construction with minimal urban planning. Investment in areas that offer great value in social advancements such as science, technology, and young-generation businesses is lacking.

How can we encourage the best minds of Hong Kong to contribute more to society? The cornerstone of any revamp in the system should be to focus on creating incentives for the younger generation to succeed. Entangled connections and vested interests should be broken up. Substantial social contributions should be duly recognized, and hard work should be widely lauded. In turn, our society should provide an ecosystem for talents to hone their skills in their areas of interest. Science and innovation, and not only professionals, should receive better returns for their contributions. Education should cultivate a sense of social responsibility in our next generation. They should be encouraged to pursue aspirations beyond basic necessities. Housing affordability should be tackled acutely so people’s minds have more leeway to roam. Critical thinking should be redefined as in-depth analytical skills rather than purely destructive attitudes. Patriotism should be instilled to wrap up the educational package and to align the interests of Hong Kong with that of the whole country.

The author is a licensed doctor in Hong Kong, and a master of public health candidate at Johns Hopkins University. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.