Kerry Kennedy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can look within to nurture the talent it needs

While the government is going all out to attract talent from around the world, it should not neglect young potential in the city

A local talent development strategy must start with asking what kind of graduates we need and how we can align priorities to ensure the system is capable of producing such graduates

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Primary school students leave their campus in Tin Shui Wai on February 28. The government has predicted a structural decline in the school-aged population. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Kerry Kennedy

Published: 4:30pm, 23 May 2023Updated: 6:25pm, 23 May 2023

The government’s efforts to attract global talent to Hong Kong are both necessary and important. An ageing population, low birth rate and waves of emigration are coming together to threaten the city’s talent pool. Even so, there are uncertainties over a strategy to import talent.

For example, there is stiff competition from countries such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea, which also are seeking new talent. In addition, it has been reported that about 95 per cent of the approved applications for visas under Hong Kong’s latest talent scheme came from candidates on the mainland. Transferring talent from one part of the country to another might not be in the national interest.

If importing talent is one strategy, growing local talent should be another. The demographic changes affecting schools are one factor to consider in developing a local talent growth strategy.

The authorities have projected that Hong Kong’s school-age population faces a structural decline. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the school-age population is predicted to fall from around 12 per cent of the total population in 2019 to 8 per cent by 2069.

The key issue, however, is to focus on those who make up the system rather than its decline. One challenge is how to manage schools with declining numbers.

However, far more important is the development of a strategy to ensure the future talent pool is nurtured and properly equipped for the future. This includes the potential of universities to be part of creating the city’s talent pool. There can be no wasting of human potential with a shrinking population.