Hong Kong hiring outlook rises to 14% in Q4

Information technology posted the highest hiring outlook at 27%.

More than 603 employers in Hong Kong reported a seasonally adjusted net employment outlook (NEO) of 14% for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2026, according to a ManpowerGroup survey.

The Q4 outlook rose 23 percentage points from the previous quarter and was seven points higher than the same period last year.

Amongst the employers surveyed, 30% said they planned to increase staffing between October and December, whilst 16% expected to reduce their workforce.

The remaining 54% anticipated no change in staffing levels.

The NEO measures hiring sentiment by calculating the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff and those planning to reduce staff.

The information technology sector recorded the highest hiring outlook amongst the sectors surveyed at 27%.

Finance and insurance followed at 21%, whilst professional, scientific, and technical services registered 15%, and trade and logistics 10%.

Manufacturing recorded a 7% hiring outlook, followed by hospitality at 5% and construction and real estate at 2%.

Health and social services was the only sector with a negative outlook, at -3%.

Across the markets surveyed, India reported the strongest Q4 NEO at 54%, followed by Vietnam at 36% and China at 34%.

Singapore recorded 13%, whilst Japan reported 7%.