New report reveals it would take a 'compelling offer' to make employees leave their current roles
Recruitment plans among employers in Hong Kong are strong, but hiring managers are struggling amid the lack of qualified talent and candidates' growing expectations surrounding pay, according to a new report.
Robert Walters' Global Salary Survey 2026 revealed that 34% of employers in Hong Kong plan to increase hiring volume in 2026.
"Once known as the 'gateway to China,' the city is increasingly seen as a launchpad for outbound capital and international expansion for Chinese companies," said John Mullally, managing director of Robert Walters Hong Kong.
"We're seeing renewed hiring activity across the financial services and professional services sector. This confidence is expected to carry into other sectors in 2026."
However, hiring managers in the financial hub cite the lack of quality candidates with the right skills and expertise (69%) as their top challenge in recruitment.
"Hiring managers often assume there's an abundance of talent, but the reality is quite the opposite," added Mullally. "Many strong candidates are still prioritising job stability and are hesitant to move without a compelling offer."
Mismatch in pay expectations
According to the report, 81% of candidates in Hong Kong expect a salary increase of over 10% to consider a move.
Nearly a third (30%) also said they want a 16 to 20% increase to make them consider switching employers.
The findings indicate employees' response to Hong Kong's rising costs of living, where they are seeking double-digit increments to even consider switching jobs.
But 83% of employers said they only plan to offer less than six per cent, according to the report.
"This gap is prolonging hiring cycles and making it harder to secure top talent," the report read.
Rise of AI-driven workplaces
The need to find talent comes as 58% of employers implement AI solutions in their workplaces, with 49% citing workforce optimisation as the reason.
More than four in five (81%) employers said they expect over a quarter of their workforce to need reskilling or upskilling in the next five years to keep pace with technological change.
According to employers, critical thinking and fact checking will be the most critical capabilities (62%) in their AI-driven workplace. Others said:
- Data analysis (60%)
- Creativity (42%)
- Ethical decision-making (35%)
- Machine learning expertise (30%)
"As AI takes over transactional tasks, the value of human-centric skills is rising. Relationship management, communication, and authentic client engagement are becoming key differentiators in an increasingly digital workplace," Mullally said.
