Pay and job security trump work–life balance for HK workers

The share of professionals who cited work–life balance as a key reason to stay with their employer fell in 2025.

Fewer professionals in Hong Kong are prioritising work–life balance as economic uncertainty and salary stagnation shift employee expectations, according to Hays.

The share of professionals who cited work–life balance as a key reason to stay with their employer fell to 24% in 2025, down from 33% in late 2024—a notable drop that signals changing workplace values.

In contrast, salary packages remain the top retention factor, selected by 45% of respondents, followed by job security at 41%, which has risen sharply from 31% a year earlier.

The shift comes as salary expectations temper. Only 64% of professionals in Hong Kong have received or still expect a raise in 2025, down from 81% projected in late 2024.

That puts Hong Kong behind regional counterparts such as Thailand (87%), Malaysia (79%), Singapore (69%), and Japan (65%), though it remains ahead of China (54%).

On the employer side, 7% of organisations in Hong Kong expect to cut salaries before year-end. This figure is lower than in Singapore (10%) and Malaysia (11%) but higher than Thailand (5%). China leads in expected salary reductions, with 18% of employers anticipating cuts.

Job security is also driving career moves. Among professionals who switched roles, 39% cited a desire for greater stability.