Hong Kong physiotherapy course admissions drop amid job surplus

Admission scores for physiotherapy degree programs at three Hong Kong tertiary institutions have declined by as much as 10% this year, a trend attributed to gloomy career prospects and a growing surplus of physiotherapists. The Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association is urging the government to halt healthcare funding cuts, arguing they contribute to a jobs crunch in the sector.

According to Alexander Woo Chuen-hau, president of the association, Hong Kong is projected to have a surplus of 2,070 physical therapists by 2040, contrary to earlier forecasts predicting a shortage until 2040. This surplus is exacerbated by funding cuts to non-governmental organizations, which have led to fewer job openings. Some graduates in 2025 have struggled to find full-time employment for nearly a year, a stark contrast to previous years when remote elderly homes had difficulty filling positions.

Woo noted that experienced therapists are sometimes being replaced by less experienced ones to reduce costs, and starting salaries offered by some organizations have decreased. Despite the surplus, Woo emphasized that demand for physiotherapy services remains, pointing out that Hong Kong has fewer than seven physical therapists per 10,000 people, significantly lower than countries like Japan and Australia. He suggested that the government could address the issue by creating more physiotherapy positions within expanded primary care services.