Competition in the Hong Kong labour market intensified in the past year as the average number of applications per job advertisement soared by nearly 60 per cent, while the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) took a toll on some positions, according to data from a popular online job platform.
Jobsdb Hong Kong revealed on Monday that the average number of applications per advertisement on the platform rose 58 per cent year on year in 2025. Competition was even keener for frontline positions, where applications per advertisement increased 78 per cent over the same period.
The platform added that jobseekers were also applying more actively, with a 33 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of applicants submitting more than 100 applications per month. It described more intense job hunting as a “new normal” for the city.
“Jobseekers are demonstrating a more proactive approach, while employers are adopting increasingly cautious and flexible hiring models to navigate diverse market conditions,” said Bill Lee Chern-hsing, Jobsdb Hong Kong’s managing director.
“Looking ahead to 2026, the job market is expected to remain highly fluid. While overall hiring demand will show a degree of resilience, the environment will be characterised by the dual forces of ongoing transformation and intense competition.”
The number of job advertisements on the platform decreased “moderately” in 2025, but advertised salaries rose by four per cent year on year.
