Key facts
- Hong Kong's youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) rate is 6%.
- This rate is higher than in comparable Asian economies.
- Contributing factors include job market mismatches, declining demand for junior roles, and comfortable living conditions.
- Government figures were released in response to a query from lawmaker Elvin Lee Ka-kui.
- A Legislative Council report previously indicated a 2025 figure for the NEET rate.
Hong Kong's youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) rate has reached 6%, a figure higher than in comparable Asian economies. Observers attribute this trend to a combination of factors, including a mismatch within the job market, a reduced demand for entry-level positions, and the relatively comfortable living conditions enjoyed by Hong Kong's young population. These insights were shared following the release of government figures in response to a query from lawmaker Elvin Lee Ka-kui. A Legislative Council report last month had previously indicated a 2025 figure for the NEET rate, putting it slightly higher at 6.3%. The cost of living in Hong Kong is also a concern for mainland students, with one graduate estimating that renting a room would consume around half of her expected HK$20,000 starting salary as a junior data analyst, prompting her to consider returning home to Shanghai where daily expenses would be less of a worry.