Key facts
- Fresh-graduate job postings in Hong Kong fell 22% in the first nine months of 2026.
- Applications per graduate listing increased by 56% year-on-year.
- Deloitte and EY reduced their graduate recruitment numbers by 18% and 11% respectively.
- Entry-level finance jobs decreased by 50.8% and IT services jobs by 54.8%.
Fresh-graduate job postings in Hong Kong have fallen by 22% in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the job-search platform Jobsdb. The number of applications for each listing has also increased by 56%, indicating a more competitive market for fewer roles. Advances in artificial intelligence are cited as a primary reason for the decline in entry-level positions, with companies increasingly relying on AI for tasks previously handled by junior staff. Major accountancy firms like Deloitte and EY have already reduced their graduate recruitment numbers. Data from job sites Indeed and Adzuna also show significant decreases in graduate job availability.