More than half of employees in Hong Kong considering job change, Aon’s study reveals

Aon’s 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study has uncovered a concerning trend in Hong Kong’s workforce, with more than half of employees considering a job change. The global survey, which polled over 9,000 employees across 23 countries, highlighted dissatisfaction with compensation, benefits, and career development as key drivers behind this sentiment.

The study found that nearly 17% of employees in Hong Kong feel undervalued in their roles, a figure significantly higher than the global average of 13%. This sense of being undervalued, coupled with concerns over pay and career progression, is contributing to the growing number of employees contemplating a job switch.

A major concern is compensation: 60% of employees in Hong Kong believe their pay is not competitive with industry standards, a stark contrast to the global average of 37%. Furthermore, 35% of employees feel there is insufficient investment in their skills development, double the global rate. As a result, 63% of employees in Hong Kong are considering changing jobs within the next year.

The study also revealed the top benefits employees value in Hong Kong include paid time off, medical coverage, work-life balance programmes, retirement savings, and dental insurance.

Medical coverage, particularly for Gen X and Gen Z employees, emerged as a priority, reflecting growing concerns over health costs and an ageing population. Moreover, 57% of employees expressed a willingness to sacrifice existing benefits for more flexible, personalised options.

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In terms of employee expectations, 33% of employees expect employers to assist with retirement savings, and 28% seek support for wellbeing. Additionally, 20% want employers to address women’s health issues, such as menstruation and menopause.

Ernest Leung, Head of Hong Kong for Aon, said, “While organisations may perceive unmet salary expectations as the primary reason for employee turnover, employees evaluate all aspects of their roles and total rewards when deciding whether to remain with an organisation. With evolving technologies and an ageing workforce, the growth of businesses in Hong Kong will greatly depend on the ability of organisations to attract and retain top talent across multiple generations.”

“It is crucial, therefore, for organisations to adopt more creative and innovative compensation practices using data-driven analytics and insights as part of their overall people strategy.”