That is about the same as mainlanders, who spend 14 percent and save 15 percent.But parents in Taiwan spend a bit more at 17 percent and save significantly more at 19 percent for the same purpose.Figures for actual spending are not available.The survey also found 52 percent
of local parents plan to send their children abroad for higher studies, compared with 34 percent in Taiwan and only 13 percent in the mainland.Universities in the United States and Europe top the list for locals.The poll results also show that though local parents see extra- curricular activities as an essential part of education, only 8 percent sign their children up thinking they may enjoy themselves.Instead, the most common reason for having them enrol in such activities is to help the children develop hobbies and interests and boost their confidence.Local parents lead the activities figures, with 88 percent of respondents sending their children to at least one enrichment class - music and tutorial sessions being the most popular. This compares with 79 percent in the mainland and 46 percent in Taiwan.MasterCard Worldwide Hong Kong and Macau head Jeroen van Son said: parents have long valued education, and it is interesting to see how they compare with parents from the Greater China markets, who tend to save and spend more as a proportion of their monthly income but do not necessarily prioritize extra-curricular activities, enrichment classes and overseas study.Meanwhile, the poll also found that local adults are keen on further studies, with 48 percent of those polled planning to attend an educational course within a year.And some 39 percent said they are likely to return to university, with half of them planning to do so within a year or two.
