The employee turnover rate among enterprises in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) has reached 11.1 percent, prompting a cautious hiring outlook as companies seek "hybrid scientific talent" to navigate structural transformations, according to a newly released report.
The findings were published in the Current Situation and Development Trends of Enterprise Talent in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 2025, jointly issued by the Institute of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Development Studies at Sun Yat-sen University and KOS International Holdings Limited.
Speaking at the report's launch, Jackson Chan, co-founder and executive director of KOS International, highlighted the severe talent drain in the region. While the overall enterprise turnover rate stands at 11.1 percent, cities such as Shenzhen and Jiangmen have reported rates exceeding 15 percent.
The survey revealed that "lack of salary competitiveness" and "limited room for career development" are the two primary factors driving the talent loss, reflecting the structural challenges companies face during their transition periods.
Enterprises are also adopting a prudent recruitment strategy, with over 70 percent of companies indicating that they plan to add no more than 30 new employees over the next three to five years.
The report noted that research and development (R&D) and sales positions will drive future core recruitment, while the demand for traditional management roles remains relatively low.
Furthermore, GBA enterprises expressed a "relatively satisfied" level of overall satisfaction with local government talent policies, reflecting that the current policy frameworks have been largely established and recognized.
In an interview with The Standard’s sister publication, Sing Tao Headline, Chan mentioned that Hong Kong professionals relocating to the GBA should embrace an open mindset by leaning into their unique advantages.
Acknowledging the cultural differences that Hong Kong talent faces across the border, Chan noted that their core competitiveness is rooted in their international perspective, language skills, familiarity with the common law system, a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, and the ability to efficiently connect with global markets.
Addressing artificial intelligence’s influence across various industries, Chan estimated that highly repetitive roles, such as standardized telephone customer service and junior document processing, will be the first to be replaced.
However, he pointed out that a massive demand for talent familiar with AI applications is simultaneously emerging. He urged professionals across all sectors to engage with AI deeply and strengthen interpersonal skills, which cannot be replaced by AI.
Chan also called on enterprises to shoulder their social responsibilities, warning against using the introduction of AI tools as an excuse for layoffs.
Conducted between April and December 2025, the survey collected 116 valid questionnaires covering the city cluster in the GBA. The research also included 71 in-depth interviews with major enterprises across key industry chains, including traditional and advanced manufacturing, services, new energy, and the digital economy.
