Hong Kong graduate jobs plunge 61% as AI automation slashes vacancies
From 80,000 to 31,000 openings in three years — local hiring now urged.
Hong Kong industry leaders and lawmakers are urging employers to prioritize local graduates after full-time vacancies suitable for university graduates plummeted from about 80,000 in 2022 to roughly 31,000 in 2025 — a 61% drop. The sharp decline, attributed to AI automation and economic headwinds, has sparked debate over immigration and talent schemes.
Labour Minister Chris Sun declined to tighten requirements for non-local graduates, while lawmaker Lam Chun-sing proposed sector-specific hiring restrictions: employers would need to prove genuine shortages before hiring from abroad. The situation mirrors global trends where AI is reshaping entry-level job markets, with Hong Kong experiencing a particularly acute impact on white-collar roles.
- Graduate vacancies fell from 80,000 in 2022 to 31,000 in 2025 — a 61% decline.
- Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing suggests restricting non-local hires in sectors with high local graduate unemployment.
- Labour Minister Chris Sun opposes tightening talent schemes despite the downturn.
Why It Matters
AI-driven job displacement is accelerating — even white-collar graduate roles are vanishing at an unprecedented rate.