Median monthly income of newcomers under top talent scheme stands at HK$50,000

The Labour and Welfare Bureau revealed that the employees arriving in Hong Kong through the Top Talent Pass Scheme have a median monthly income of around HK$50,000, considerably higher than the average monthly earnings of locals, which is HK$20,000.

The Bureau conducted a survey in November last year of about 5,000 Top Talent Pass Scheme applicants and their family members who have been in the city for over six months, and the response rate was nearly 40 percent.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said 43 percent of the respondents have settled in Hong Kong, while about 90 percent of the remaining plan to move to the city within a year. 

The survey also found that 54 percent of the respondents were employed, and most were working in high-skilled services or managerial positions. Around one-third work in financial sectors, 18 percent of talents joined the innovation and information technology industry and 17 percent work in the commerce and trade fields.

The median monthly income of the talents was around HK$50,000, with a quarter earning over HK$100,000 a month. Around 10 percent received a monthly income of HK$200,000 or above. 

As for the spouses of the applicants, 16 percent were employed in highly skilled jobs, with a median monthly income of about HK$30,000, and about 10 percent earning a monthly salary of HK$100,000 or more.

The authorities believed the arrival of young talents and their spouses, along with their children, is expected to have a positive impact on the city's labour force and population structure.