Hong Kong youth face steep job market as CEOs urge Gen Z to adapt to AI-driven economy

Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee Ka‑chiu, attended a regional consultation where recent graduates highlighted a sharp rise in youth unemployment, now near 11%, and a more than 50% drop in entry‑level positions. Graduates called for subsidies similar to those in mainland China and Singapore and suggested expanding the “green and sustainable finance training pilot” to other emerging sectors. Lee pointed to technology‑driven industry upgrades as a path to higher‑quality jobs, noting that the economy grew 5.1% in the first half of the year, outpacing expectations, but that growth has not yet translated into better prospects for young workers.

At the same time, CEOs of seven multinational firms—including Accenture’s Julie Sweet, Amazon’s Andy Jassy, AMD’s Lisa Su, Citi’s Jane Fraser, McDonald’s Chris Kempczinski, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Walmart’s former chief Doug McMillon—offered advice to Generation Z. They emphasized curiosity, transparency, taking on challenging problems, building resilience, and pursuing skilled‑trade roles that are less vulnerable to AI disruption. The leaders argued that proactive mindset and adaptability remain essential despite the shrinking pool of entry‑level jobs caused by automation and AI.

Both the Hong Kong consultation and the multinational CEOs’ guidance underscore a broader concern: young workers worldwide are confronting a tightening job market, and policymakers and industry leaders are urging skill development and flexible career strategies to bridge the gap between economic growth and youth employment.