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Opinion | Labour shortages, ageing population and outdated immigration policies leave Hong Kong trailing in race for global talent
- A brain drain is nothing new for Hong Kong but, this time, it faces a particularly difficult task in retaining talent and replenishing its depleted base of skilled manpower
- Beleaguered employers are looking to John Lee to announce bold, ambitious talent-acquisition measures in his policy address
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In recent weeks, not a day has passed without Hong Kong seeing media reports of accelerating outflows of skilled professionals which pose an existential threat to a city which thrives on the talent of its people.
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The midyear population estimates published by the Census and Statistics Department show a decline of 121,500 people relative to 2021 and a net outflow of 95,000. The statistics do not reflect the shortages being felt in many critical areas, such as teachers, doctors, nurses, managerial and executive staff, shipping, finance and information technology.
Ambassador Kenichi Okada, Japan’s consul-general in Hong Kong, said on Monday that a recent survey of Japanese businesses in the city by the Japan External Trade Organisation showed they were more concerned about the steady loss of skilled professionals than the national security law. Various business organisations have given similar feedback.
Brain drain is not new to Hong Kong. The city has survived waves of emigration and exodus of skilled professionals. In the early 1990s, arising from concerns about Hong Kong’s return to China, the loss of skilled manpower was so severe that Hong Kong had to launch a “British Nationality Selection Scheme” to grant the right of abode in Britain to qualified entrepreneurs, professionals and civil servants without the usual requirement to live in Britain.
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This time, Hong Kong faces a particularly difficult task in retaining talent and replenishing its depleted base of skilled manpower. The city faces powerful headwinds on three fronts – a chronic labour shortage, deteriorating demographics and outdated immigration policies which put Hong Kong on a disadvantageous footing in the global talent hunt.
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