Breaking
PLCollision of a delivery vehicle with a train at a railway crossing in WadowiceCNJiang Yijie, a 38-year-old social worker from the Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau, is suspected of embezzling more than NT$12 million from five warded elders.INTLTrump's UNGA Speech Draws Shock with Economic Boasts, Iran Threats, and AI RantRUIran says Strait of Hormuz could reopen in seven days if US eases military pressureTRF-16 Warplane Crashed Near Spangdahlem Base, Germany, Pilot Survived InjuredRUFather beat his two-year-old son into a coma in Rubtsovsk, a case of attempted murder has been openedBRWoman found dead with cable around her neck in São Paulo; police investigate suicide or homicideFRBordeaux launches thirty citizen commissions to co-decide on the participatory budgetTRErdogan brought up the Gaza War at the UN General Assembly, Alleging State Terrorism against IsraelUSSpyCloud finds over 1,000 U.S. water providers exposed to password-stealing malwarePLCollision of a delivery vehicle with a train at a railway crossing in WadowiceCNJiang Yijie, a 38-year-old social worker from the Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau, is suspected of embezzling more than NT$12 million from five warded elders.INTLTrump's UNGA Speech Draws Shock with Economic Boasts, Iran Threats, and AI RantRUIran says Strait of Hormuz could reopen in seven days if US eases military pressureTRF-16 Warplane Crashed Near Spangdahlem Base, Germany, Pilot Survived InjuredRUFather beat his two-year-old son into a coma in Rubtsovsk, a case of attempted murder has been openedBRWoman found dead with cable around her neck in São Paulo; police investigate suicide or homicideFRBordeaux launches thirty citizen commissions to co-decide on the participatory budgetTRErdogan brought up the Gaza War at the UN General Assembly, Alleging State Terrorism against IsraelUSSpyCloud finds over 1,000 U.S. water providers exposed to password-stealing malware
Newsgather
All StoriesWorldSportsFinanceTechScienceHealthCultureClimatePoliticsSpace
BackHong Kong workforce projected to shrink by 20,000 annually through 2028
Hong Kong workforce projected to shrink by 20,000 annually through 2028
NEWS
SCMP Economy1 hour agoBusiness1 min readChina

Hong Kong workforce projected to shrink by 20,000 annually through 2028

Government report highlights persistent labor shortages in key sectors despite talent importation efforts

hong kongworkforcelabor shortage

Quick Look

  • A Hong Kong government report forecasts a workforce decline of 20,000 people annually until 2028.
  • Despite labor importation measures, a 130,000-person shortfall remains, with AI adoption expected to impact entry-level and clerical positions significantly.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The government is implementing talent and labor importation measures to address demographic and economic shifts. AI adoption is identified as a factor in both labor demand reduction and industry transformation.

Font size

Hong Kong’s workforce is forecast to shrink by around 20,000 a year until 2028 despite measures to import labour and talent, with shortages remaining most acute among skilled technical workers.

A government report on manpower projections on Tuesday found that although the labour shortfall would narrow to 130,000 by 2028, down by nearly a third from the original estimate of 180,000, the city would continue to face critical manpower challenges across key sectors.

“Due to economic transformation, the adoption of AI [artificial intelligence] and various talent and labour importation measures, the predicted manpower shortfall in 2028 will narrow to 130,000, but most critical industries, especially innovation, aviation, construction, city operations and healthcare, still face a manpower crunch,” said Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming.

“The adoption of AI is expected to accelerate and companies are likely to take a more cautious approach when hiring for entry-level positions. We believe demand for these roles will ease and some clerical jobs will undergo restructuring. Overall, fresh graduates and middle-aged clerical staff are expected to be most impacted.”

Open Questions

  • What specific policies will be used to mitigate the 130,000-person shortfall?
  • How will the government support workers displaced by AI-driven restructuring?

Related Topics

hong kong
PeopleHo Kai-ming
OrganizationsHong Kong Government
PlacesHong Kong
Topicsworkforcelabor shortageartificial intelligencemanpowereconomy
This article was originally published by SCMP Economy.

Related Stories

China intensifies dumping, and EU trade deficit with China expands to 1.18 billion euros per day
Developing·

China intensifies dumping, and EU trade deficit with China expands to 1.18 billion euros per day

According to an analysis of China's July customs data by German think tank MERICS, the EU's trade deficit with China has widened from about 1 billion euros a day last year to 1.18 billion euros a day as China purchases fewer European products while selling more products to Europe. EU officials say trade imbalances must be curbed and are considering imposing quotas on Chinese gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles and chemicals.

自由时报
2 min read
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China reports that China’s trade surplus reaches US$1.2 trillion and the EU’s deficit with China reaches a critical point
Developing·

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China reports that China’s trade surplus reaches US$1.2 trillion and the EU’s deficit with China reaches a critical point

The annual report of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China shows that China achieved a trade surplus of US$1.2 trillion last year, accounting for 37% of global container exports. The report pointed out that this imbalance stems from global demand and structural problems of overcapacity in China's manufacturing industry and insufficient domestic consumption. The EU's trade deficit with China has reached 1 billion euros per day, which is considered a critical point. The two sides will hold economic and trade consultations in Beijing in October.

德国之声
2 min read
Sino-German automotive industry talks about "win-win" in Haikou: international cooperation is crucial
Business·

Sino-German automotive industry talks about "win-win" in Haikou: international cooperation is crucial

The 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Conference opens in Haikou. Muxia, Chairman of the German Automobile Manufacturers Association, and Zhang Jinhua, Chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers of China, emphasized that deepening cooperation between China and Germany in the fields of electrification, intelligence and supply chain is crucial to global industrial transformation and green development.

中国新闻网
2 min read
Green biomanufacturing industry development seminar held in Hong Kong
Business·

Green biomanufacturing industry development seminar held in Hong Kong

On September 22, the Green Biomanufacturing Industry Development Seminar was held in Hong Kong. The meeting brought together experts from all walks of life to discuss industrial development paths and released the "Joint Initiative for the Development of Hong Kong's Green Biomanufacturing Industry", which aims to promote the standardization and internationalization of Hong Kong's biomanufacturing industry and build industrial chain synergy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

中国新闻网
2 min read
Zhejiang Jiaxing Nanhu Airport opens international cargo route to Chicago
Business·

Zhejiang Jiaxing Nanhu Airport opens international cargo route to Chicago

On September 22, a Jinpeng Airlines all-cargo flight flew from Jiaxing Nanhu Airport in Zhejiang to Chicago, the United States, marking the official opening of the Jiaxing-Chicago international cargo route. The day before, the route from Jiaxing to Luxembourg was also opened, and Nanhu Airport realized the "double opening of international cargo routes a week", further improving the logistics channel between the Yangtze River Delta and the world.

中国新闻网
3 min read
2026 China's Top 500 Private Enterprises Conference was held in Tianjin
Business·

2026 China's Top 500 Private Enterprises Conference was held in Tianjin

The 2026 China's Top 500 Private Enterprises Conference was held in Tianjin on September 22. The meeting released lists of the top 500 private enterprises, the top 500 manufacturing companies, and the top 100 service industries. Gao Yunlong, chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, attended and emphasized that private enterprises should play a greater role in promoting Chinese-style modernization and the development of new-quality productivity.

中国新闻网
2 min read
More on this topichong kong