Hong Kong will lack 130,000 workers by 2028, fewer than projected due to talent policies

South China Morning Post - Sep 17, 2026

Hong Kong will be short of 130,000 workers by 2028, about a third less than originally projected, a reduction the city’s labour chief attributed to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and government policies to import labour and top talent. A day after the release of the city’s first five-year plan and annual policy address, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Thursday that authorities would exempt start-up founders approved under the Top Talent Pass Scheme...

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