Hong Kong SAR ranks 14th globally for talent competitiveness according to Hays Global Talent Tracker
A new report released by Hays, the global leader in specialist recruitment and workforce solutions, reveals how Hong Kong’s position in the global talent landscape is being shaped by a range of workforce and labour market factors. The report, which compares labour market performance across 35 locations, highlights both opportunities and risks in attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent—offering valuable insights for business leaders and policymakers.
Hong Kong’s global standing: strengths and challenges:
Hong Kong ranks 14th out of 35 in global talent competitiveness, a measure of how effectively a market attracts, develops, and retains skilled workers. That ranking is better than Thailand (24th) but behind Malaysia (11th), Singapore (4th), China (2nd) and Japan (1st).
The research shows that Hong Kong ranks 8th in labour market flexibility (a measure of how easily the labour market can adapt to changing business needs) and 16th in talent value (a measure of how investment in people delivers returns) among the 35 markets assessed.
Hong Kong (21st) is behind on talent participation—Japan (1st) and Singapore (9th) all rank higher on workforce engagement and resilience.
Hong Kong (25th) was also outperformed on talent development by Singapore (13th) and Japan (18th). This is in large part because those markets invest more in education and skills investment.
“Hays’ findings show how the global landscape for talent is evolving at unprecedented speed, with countries investing strategically to build more innovative, resilient and future-ready workforces amid increasing economic uncertainty,” said Dirk Hahn, Chief Executive Officer of Hays.
“As organisations navigate this complexity, the ability to identify and harness the right talent ecosystems will become a defining factor for long-term success.”
“The findings reinforce there are many contributing factors to a strong workforce, and each market can and should consider that combination differently, but by understanding these trends, businesses can make smarter decisions about where to invest, grow and compete on the world stage.”
Headwinds to future Hong Kong growth
Hays’ research highlights a range of factors shaping the future of Hong Kong. When reviewing the Compound Annual Growth Rate of Gross Value Added (GVA CAGR) of local domestic sectors, construction, engineering and technology were identified as the fastest growing industries by 2030.
“Hong Kong’s regulatory environment enables rapid hiring and restructuring, with minimal barriers to entry and strong infrastructure for contract and freelance work,” said Adrian Lam, Regional Director for Hays Hong Kong SAR. “This agility makes it a strategic choice for organisations seeking fast deployment and operational responsiveness.”
While there are clear strengths, the data also points to areas where targeted action is needed to remain competitive in attracting global talent and investment. By 2040, nearly one in three residents will be aged 65 or older, placing pressure on healthcare systems, pension schemes and workforce supply. Youth participation remains relatively strong, but income inequality and housing affordability continue to impact retention.
To address future workforce constraints, Adrian emphasised the need for proactive policy measures. “A shrinking working-age population means intervention will be essential to ensure talent availability is not compromised.”
“While Hong Kong’s business ecosystem remains globally competitive, organisations must balance short-term agility with long-term investment. This includes upskilling older workers, expanding inclusive employment policies and strengthening social protections to support a more resilient labour market.”
The Hays Global Talent Tracker was developed in partnership with Oxford Economics in early 2025, analysing labour market data across 35 markets. The research benchmarks national workforces using a composite index built from five pillars – talent value, participation, development, flexibility, and innovation – drawing on a wide range of economic, demographic, and skills-based indicators. Read the full report here - Hays Global Talent Tracker.
About Hays Hong Kong SAR
Hays Specialist Recruitment Hong Kong is the one of the leading specialist recruitment companies in Hong Kong SAR in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of industries and professions.
Hays has been in Hong Kong SAR for over a decade and boasts a track record of success and growth. At Hays in Hong Kong SAR, we operate across the private and public sector, dealing in permanent and contracting positions, and workforce solutions such as recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Programmes (MSP) in the following specialisms: Accountancy & Finance, Banking & Financial Services, Construction, Digital Technology, Engineering, Finance Technology, Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Marketing & Digital, Office Professionals, Property, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Sales. We continue to strengthen our position in Asia with the world-leading ISO 9001:2015 certification in all our operational markets including Hong Kong SAR, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions, such as Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Provider (MSP). The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 30 June 2025, the Group employed over 9,900 staff operating from 207 offices in 31 markets. For the year ended 30 June 2025:
the Group reported net fees of £972.4 million and operating profit (before exceptional items) of £45.6 million.
the temporary placement business represented 62% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 38% of net fees.
Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (11%), are the next largest.
Hays operates in the following markets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.
