May 12, 2025
Hire in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is known for its highly developed free-market economy. The main features of the country’s market include free port trade, low taxation, and a developed international finance market. Hong Kong is considered to be one of the most important business centers in the world. Due to the aftereffect of the pandemic, Hong Kong’s unemployment rate has increased to 6.8%, and the population is around 7.45 million.
The last decade has shown growth in the four key industries; financial services, tourism, trading and logistics, and professional services. These industries are the main roots for the economic growth of the country as well as the development of other sectors. The country has got the most attractive business environment and has the seventh-largest port in the world. Surprisingly, you can start a business in Hong Kong within one and a half days.
Overview of Hong Kong
According to the statistics, Hong Kong is ranked 39th in the World’s GDP Ranking. The four key sectors dominate the economy along with the emergence of start-ups. E-Commerce industries contribute 22%, whereas Fintech and Software industries contribute 12%. The country is governed by a policy of positive non-interventionism, which easily helps in setting up a business. The country is ranked as number one by The Economic Freedom of the World Index.
Total population – 7,496,681 people
GDP - 349.45 billion (USD)
Economic Overview
Hong Kong's economy showed an upward growth but the momentum softened in the second quarter. However, the GDP expanded by 1.5% compared to the year's first quarter 2.9% growth. The tourism industry, which was one of the key industries, is affected because of the pandemic and will take time to recover. The unemployment rate has increased from 4.2 % to 6.8%.
Market Size
Hong Kong's market capitalization accounted for over 4 trillion USD. The economy is expected to grow from 3.5 to 5.5 %. Financial and professional service, health, and export industries were the ones least affected. And e-commerce, advertising, and software are the emerging industries.
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Talk to an expertA brief glimpse of the industries
- As the financial and insurance industry is internationalized and highly modernized, the industry was least affected. The financial industry is the important pillar of the economy that accounts for 21.7% of the country’s GDP.
- The tourism industry was hit hard by the Covid-19. It is one of the key industries of the country. It contributes around 4.5% of the country’s GDP. The total number of tourists who visited the country was reduced to 88.2 % due to the pandemic. The average hotel room occupancy has also decreased to 79%, according to the reports.
- Hong Kong’s merchandise trading sector also witnessed a decline of 5.7% to US $1,073 billion (HK $8,404 billion). The rate of offshore trade has increased by 8.3 %. The import and export sectors, especially the exports, show growth and gain.
- The healthcare industry of Hong Kong is well advanced, and the people have got the highest life expectancy compared to the other countries. The private and public health services contribute to 6.2% of the country’s GDP.
Cost of Living in Hong Kong
Hong is ranked 1st in the cost of living in the world. It is the most expensive city in the world. The cost of living is extremely high compared to the other cities due to the dense population and low supply, and high demand for land; the housing price is very high. Property rates are very costly.
| Category | Area of expense | Estimated cost | Range |
| Utilities | Electricity, Water, Heating, Internet services, Prepaid mobile tariff | $252.12 (1956.35 HK$) | US $150 – 476 |
| Rental rates | Apartment (1 room) in city and outside city,
Apartment (2-3 rooms) In the city and outside the city. | $ 1902.72 (14.764 HK$)
$ 3809.1 (29,556 HK$)
| US $ 1031-3220
US $ 2319.7-7088.1 |
| Transportation Cost | One way ticket local transport, Taxi tariff, Gasoline. | $ 6.68 (51.87 HK$) | US $ 6.0 – 8.00 |
| Food and Beverage | Grocery, Vegetables, Meat and Poultry | 1,076$ (8,357HK$) | US $ 900 - 1300 |
| Salaries and Financing | Average monthly net salary | $ 2956.11 (22,937.68 HK$) | |
Interest rates
| 2.48% | |
Salary structure for various roles
Depending on various employment sectors present in Hong Kong, individuals can expect the average salaries to be around: -
| Business Sector | Average Annual Salary (HKD) | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|
| Education and Training | $4,66,000 HKD | $3,584,615.38 |
| Wholesale Trade | $4,79,000 HKD | $3,684,615.38 |
| Transport, Postal, Warehousing | $6,87,000 HKD | $5,284,615.38 |
| Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants | $2,93,000 HKD | $2,253,846.15 |
| Retail Trade | $2,06,000 HKD | $1,584,615.38 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | $5,88,000 HKD | $4,523,076.92 |
| Financial and Insurance Services | $5,07,250 HKD | $3,901,923.08 |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | $4,04,000 HKD | $3,107,692.31 |
| Construction | $2,58.000 HKD | $1,984,615.38 |
| Manufacturing | $3,00,000 HKD | $2,307,692.31 |
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | $4,97,000 HKD | $3,823,076.92 |
| Arts and Recreation Services | $3,60,000 HKD | $2,769,230.77 |
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | $6,22,000 HKD | $4,784,615.38 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $2,21,000 HKD | $1,700,000.00 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $6,56,000 HKD | $5,046,153.85 |
| Public Administration and Safety | $1,93,000 HKD | $1,484,615.38 |
| Mining | $3,83,000 HKD | $2,946,153.85 |
Cost of Renting
The cost of living in Hong Kong may depend upon the location and size of the house. A one-bedroom apartment may cost you about 17,230.77 HK$ depending upon the area. The rent is subjected to an increase depending upon the desired facilities.
The top sectors that are expected to hire in 2025 in Hong Kong are: -
| S. No. | Top Industries Looking to Hire |
| 1 | Agriculture |
| 2 | Healthcare and Medical |
| 3 | English Language |
| 4 | Finance |
| 5 | Human resource |
| 6 | Legal Practice |
| 7 | Animators |
| 8 | Advertising |
| 9 | Engineering |
| 10 | Accounting |
Top Skills in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a highly developed free-market economy. The main industries are the finance, tourism and professional service sector. Consequently, it is keen on hiring skilled individuals and highly qualified professionals trained in various hard and soft skills. From architects to animators, there are lots of job opportunities available.
Major skills and areas which witnessed a recent growth rate
- Architecture
- Language (creative opportunities)
- Advertising
- E-Commerce
- Digital Marketing
- IT/Computer Science
Top skills city-wise occupation-wise
Hong Kong is known for its floating islands and unique skyline. It is the most expensive city to live in the world but offers great employment prospects. It creates opportunities for the immigrants as well as the expats.
- Victoria City - It is the capital city of Hong Kong, and all the government bureau head offices are situated here. It is one of the most developed cities in Hong Kong. There are opportunities in software and networking engineering as well as in human resources.
- Kowloon - It is one of the famous urban areas of Hong Kong. It has more job opportunities in financial services, schools, advertising, and IT services.
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Talk to an expertHiring Cost
In order to conduct a seamless recruitment process, you need to focus on several important factors. Some of the essential aspects of a hiring process are: -
- Onboarding and training cost
- Cost of conducting interviews and hiring processes
- Time invested in the process
Employment laws in Hong Kong
There are proper laws and benefits ensured by the Government of Hong Kong for employees. It also ensures occupational health and safety. The Employment Ordinance frames a code for employment based on the following aspects-
- Maximum work hours
- Paid and unpaid leaves
- Workplace surveillance; and
- Anti-discrimination
- Free employment and recruitment services
Hong Kong Remote Hiring Trends 2025
Hiring Trends and Remote Work Culture in Hong Kong
Across the globe, remote employment is on the rise as many employees prefer to do at least some of their work at home. In contrast, this may be on the decline in Hong Kong — a recent survey conducted by Randstad found that of 3,000 respondents, only 32% work fully remotely as opposed to 62% previously. Still, remote work continues to be available as the global pandemic has impacted employers to the present day.
In-Demand Remote Jobs and Titles in Hong Kong
Top jobs in demand in Hong Kong include jobs in engineering, banking and financial services, insurance, and marketing. Relatedly, job titles in demand include application developers, devOps, mobile developers, project managers, cloud specialists, systems engineers, and data analysts.
Overall, the growth in hiring is high, with IT job recruitment rising by 6%.
Top Companies Hiring Remotely in Hong Kong
Some of the top companies that are currently hiring include
- PwC
- Deloitte
- EY
- HSBC
- KPMG
- Accenture
How Can Skuad Help You with Hiring in Hong Kong?
In order to conduct a smooth hiring process in Hong Kong, not only do you need considerable resources but in-depth knowledge of local laws. This will take up a lot of your precious time and resources. Skuad’s unified employment platform simplifies recruitment for organizations. Connect with Skuad to know more.
FAQs
How to Hire Employees in Hong Kong?
Companies can hire employees in Hong Kong by either establishing a local business entity or partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR assumes legal responsibility for employment, managing contracts, payroll, tax compliance, and benefits, while allowing foreign companies to operate without registering a local branch.
What is the Minimum Wage in Hong Kong?
As of May 2025, the statutory minimum wage in Hong Kong is HKD 42.1 per hour (approximately USD 5.41). This rate applies to most employees, excluding live-in domestic workers and certain trainees.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Employees in Hong Kong?
Hiring in Hong Kong involves several costs beyond salary. Skilled workers typically earn HKD 15,000–35,000 per month (USD 1,900–4,500). Employers must contribute 5% to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF), capped at HKD 1,500 monthly. Additional expenses include recruitment fees, visa and medical costs, employee compensation insurance, and potential bonuses like a 13th-month payment. These add roughly 10–15% on top of gross salary. Using an Employer of Record (EOR) can reduce complexity and overhead, typically costing USD 700 - 2,000 per employee per month, which may be more efficient than managing direct hires.
What Paperwork Is Required to Hire Employees in Hong Kong?
Hiring in Hong Kong requires a written employment contract detailing salary, benefits, duties, and working hours. Employers must register employees with the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) and submit an IR56E form to the Inland Revenue Department at the start of employment. For foreign hires, proper work visa sponsorship is also required. Additionally, employers must provide itemized pay slips and keep records in line with local labor regulations.
What Are the Employment Laws in Hong Kong?
Employment in Hong Kong is governed by the Employment Ordinance, which mandates rest days but does not set maximum working hours. Employees are entitled to 7–14 days of paid annual leave, 12 statutory holidays, sick leave, and mandatory MPF contributions. Termination requires one month’s notice with severance pay in certain cases. Anti-discrimination laws protect against bias based on sex, race, disability, family status, and age. Some sectors may also be subject to collective agreements.
How to Obtain a Work Permit in Hong Kong?
To hire a foreign national in Hong Kong, employers must sponsor a work visa under the General Employment Policy (GEP). This requires a valid job offer with a competitive salary and specialized skill requirements. The employer submits the application to the Immigration Department, along with documents such as the business registration certificate, financial proof, employment contract, the candidate’s passport, qualifications, and CV. Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks. Work visas are generally valid for 1–2 years and are renewable.
