Photo: Base64 and Derivative work by Globe-trotter · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Hong Kong: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Hong Kong is placed 22nd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 54.78 (2025); Labour Income Share 53.36 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
22nd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Hong Kong on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
54.78
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Hong Kong: 54.78. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 79.24 North Korea
- Land neighbours
- China 61.57
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.799
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Hong Kong: 2.799. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 2.347 Macau
- Land neighbours
- China 4.615
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
5.761
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Hong Kong: 5.761. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.326 Macau
- Land neighbours
- China 33.4
02Over time
Which way Hong Kong is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
Hong KongWorld median
Hong Kong fell from 57.72 in 2000 to 54.78 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Hong Kong World median 2025 54.78 57.720 2024 55.14 57.694 2023 55.53 58.158 2022 55.35 57.688 2021 55.70 56.066 2020 55.55 55.691 2019 58.25 57.871 2018 58.95 56.911 2017 58.58 56.738 2016 58.35 56.845 2015 58.46 56.788 2014 58.34 56.774 2013 58.44 56.229 2012 57.78 56.289 2011 57.30 56.297 2010 56.28 56.212 2009 56.82 56.255 2008 57.94 57.308 2007 58.14 56.933 2006 57.66 56.685 2005 57.19 56.129 2004 56.59 55.465 2003 55.97 55.630 2002 56.79 55.843 2001 57.86 56.018 2000 57.72 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
Hong KongWorld median
Hong Kong fell from 54.72 in 2004 to 53.36 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Hong Kong World median 2025 53.36 46.230 2024 53.34 46.060 2023 53.19 45.900 2022 54.73 45.615 2021 53.23 45.433 2020 55.64 47.267 2019 53.71 46.277 2018 52.56 46.187 2017 53.83 46.467 2016 54.46 46.798 2015 53.67 46.876 2014 54.52 47.281 2013 54.98 46.887 2012 55.65 46.231 2011 54.80 45.679 2010 54.67 46.024 2009 54.53 47.071 2008 51.84 45.312 2007 52.28 45.246 2006 52.84 45.670 2005 53.26 46.265 2004 54.72 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
Hong KongWorld median
Hong Kong fell from 4.92 in 2000 to 2.799 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Hong Kong World median 2025 2.80 5.08 2024 2.99 5.15 2023 2.95 5.21 2022 4.32 5.34 2021 5.17 6.04 2020 5.81 6.38 2019 2.92 5.36 2018 2.81 5.35 2017 3.12 5.59 2016 3.39 5.90 2015 3.31 6.41 2014 3.30 6.58 2013 3.40 6.71 2012 3.29 6.79 2011 3.42 6.90 2010 4.33 7.04 2009 5.26 6.67 2008 3.56 5.79 2007 4.01 6.00 2006 4.77 6.50 2005 5.58 7.09 2004 6.74 6.80 2003 7.86 6.95 2002 7.28 6.91 2001 5.09 6.96 2000 4.92 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
Hong KongWorld median
Hong Kong rose from 4.84 in 2000 to 5.761 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Hong Kong World median 2025 5.761 28.67 2024 5.844 29.04 2023 6.189 29.33 2022 6.207 29.67 2021 6.158 30.01 2020 6.037 30.54 2019 6.007 29.98 2018 5.992 30.15 2017 5.886 29.93 2016 5.908 29.91 2015 5.994 30.26 2014 6.186 30.47 2013 6.906 31.14 2012 6.968 31.00 2011 6.653 31.41 2010 6.421 32.37 2009 6.590 32.59 2008 6.596 31.76 2007 6.357 33.47 2006 6.965 34.27 2005 6.887 34.66 2004 6.901 35.51 2003 6.860 35.90 2002 7.011 35.96 2001 6.018 35.27 2000 4.840 35.67
03In context
Hong Kong beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Hong Kong and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 22nd | 54.78 | 53.36 | 2.799 | 5.761 |
 China | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Hong Kong in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Hong Kong is ahead of the world, and behind
22 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median12
Statistics on which Hong Kong does better than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1643.6419.16No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 43.64 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 6th of 179 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.315.66814.31▲ Improved since 2014
Hong Kong: 5.668 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 92nd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384139,88447,384▲ Improved since 2015
Hong Kong: 139,884 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 13th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1662.7722.16No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 62.77 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 29th of 182 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74223,5476,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Hong Kong: 23,547 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 151 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0744.3832.07No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 44.38 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8125.3241.81No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 25.32 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 141st of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6826.0616.68No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 26.06 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 36th of 139 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.977.245.9No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 77.2 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.838.95812.83▲ Improved since 2015
Hong Kong: 8.958 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 124th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 09.60No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 9.6 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 373▼ Worsened since 2015
Hong Kong: 7 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Hong Kong does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3651.853.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Hong Kong: 51.8 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 103rd of 182 · derived.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.50.575No earlier reading
Hong Kong: 0.5 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6656.3661.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Hong Kong: 56.36 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 131st of 182 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▲ Improved since 2015
Hong Kong: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5185.859.51No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 85.8 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 5th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.9938.89No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 42.99 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 39th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,186657.95Moved since 2014
Hong Kong: 1,186 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8814.0118.88No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 14.01 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 146th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.847.69431.84No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 7.694 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 170th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.380.18214.38No real change since 2015
Hong Kong: 0.182 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 181st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Hong Kong
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2016), Compliance with Labour Rights, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2016), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Hong Kong’s 12 topics
Work & Labour is Hong Kong’s 3rd best-placed topic of 12. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade3rd of 1774/4 keys
- Peace & Security15th of 1773/4 keys
- Work & Labour22nd of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions36th of 1943/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge40th of 1983/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital40th of 1962/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation37th of 1764/4 keys
- Gender & Equality42nd of 1834/4 keys
- Digital & Technology57th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties129th of 1983/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture137th of 1842/4 keys
- Energy141st of 1653/3 keys
No standing on Health & Wellbeing, Environment & Sustainability, Risk & Resilience, Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Hong Kong can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysThis page
Hong Kong22nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Hong Kong and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Hong Kong on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Hong Kong rank on work & labour?
Hong Kong is placed 22nd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Hong Kong?
54.78 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Hong Kong?
53.36 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Hong Kong compare with China on work & labour?
China is placed 60th of 182, and Hong Kong 22nd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: China 61.57, Hong Kong 54.78; Labour Income Share: China 51.23, Hong Kong 53.36; Unemployment Rate: China 4.615, Hong Kong 2.799; Vulnerable Employment: China 33.4, Hong Kong 5.761.
How have Hong Kong’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 57.72 in 2000 to 54.78 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 54.72 in 2004 to 53.36 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 4.92 in 2000 to 2.799 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 4.84 in 2000 to 5.761 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Hong Kong?
No current reading is published for Hong Kong on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Compliance with Labour Rights, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 22 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Hong Kong’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Hong Kong (banner) — Base64 and Derivative work by Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Hong Kong: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/hong-kong/work