
18th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Recent data reveals a troubling trend regarding the economic prospects of university graduates in Hong Kong. A study conducted by the New Youth Forum highlights that the median monthly income for university-educated workers has decreased from HK$36,418 in 2003 to HK$35,071 in 2023, a decline of approximately 3.7%. In contrast, those with a high school education or lower have seen their median income rise by 24.9%, from HK$13,657 to HK$17,061 over the same period.
This disparity has left many young individuals feeling pessimistic about their future, largely due to a lack of upward mobility. The analysis, which examines data from 1988 to 2023, shows a consistent pattern: as the income levels for graduates have increased, the rate of income growth has diminished. Notably, the highest-earning 10% of university graduates experienced the most significant drop, with their earnings falling from HK$97,875 to HK$90,047—an 8% decrease.
The study further indicates that the supply of university graduates has risen sharply over the past two decades. However, the number of high-skill positions has not kept pace, leading to an increase in graduates taking low-skill jobs. The number of university-educated workers in low-skill positions has surged from 66,200 in 2003 to 194,000 in 2023, nearly a threefold increase. This shift has raised the proportion of university graduates in low-skill roles from 12.4% to 17.1%.
The post Survey reveals university graduates earn less than 20 years ago, while high school graduates see 25% increase appeared first on Dimsum Daily.