The recently released KPMG Hong Kong Employment Outlook 2026 paints a picture of a market in transition. While 2025 was a year of experimentation with Artificial Intelligence, 2026 is the year of implementation.
Key Trends for HR Professionals
- Skill Shift: AI literacy is no longer a "nice-to-have." It is now the most critical skill identified by employers across all seniority levels.
- Cautious Hiring: Only 19% of firms plan to increase headcount, the lowest in recent years. The focus has shifted from "quantity" to "quality," specifically targeting professionals who can drive revenue through sales or tech-enabled efficiency.
- Retention is King: 36% of employees feel comfortable staying with their current employer, a slight increase as job seekers adopt a "wait-and-see" approach amidst global volatility.
For job seekers, this means upskilling in AI tools is the fastest way to gain leverage. For HR, the challenge lies in identifying "quality" candidates in a market where 69% of managers say finding the right skills is their biggest struggle.
References
- KPMG International (2026). Hong Kong Employment Outlook 2026. Link
- Staffing Industry Analysts (2026). More than a third of Hong Kong employers plan 2026 hiring increase. Link