Workers should get 2.8pc pay rise in 2026: survey

A recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management suggests that workers in Hong Kong should receive an average pay increase of 2.8 percent in 2026, slightly above the 2.7 percent rise observed in 2025. The survey, which examined 173 companies spanning 12 sectors employing over 180,000 full-time employees, indicates that companies are cautious in their remuneration strategies.

Lawrence Hung, the institute's immediate past president and executive council member, noted that a 2.8 percent increase is a prudent approach. However, he emphasized that companies need to consider various factors such as business conditions, economic environment, and the need to attract, retain, and develop talent. Employers are also willing to pay more for core talent with critical skills.

The survey projects that the average pay increase in 2027 will be 2.9 percent. While 44 percent of companies surveyed plan to implement salary increases, 56 percent have yet to decide. Hung stressed that talent retention should go beyond pay rises, recommending a holistic approach that includes skill training, enhanced benefits, and family-friendly measures.

The survey also revealed that the average pay increase for 2026 in Macao was 2.8 percent, while other cities in the Greater Bay Area had an average increase of 4.2 percent.