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Global Sentiment Survey

A shifting global economy outlook spurs caution in Hong Kongers’ financial habit

In 2025, the global economy finds itself in the mid-to-late stage of a cycle. Coupled with intricate geopolitical tensions and a resurgence of trade protectionism, the national policies and investment landscape worldwide are undergoing corresponding changes. Amidst this backdrop, Fidelity's annual Global Sentiment Survey reveals that optimism among the workforce in Hong Kong dips slightly but remains above the post-pandemic levels. Hong Kongers are leaning towards saving more as they grapple with the escalating costs of living. 

Charlotte Chan, Head of HK Global Platform Solutions & Head of Hong Kong at Fidelity International, said, "Many Hong Kong workers are worried about inadequate savings for retirement and lack confidence in retirement planning. Furthermore, managing their MPF remains a challenge for many. To secure a dream retirement, it's vital for investors to enhance their financial know-hows and proactively chart their own financial journey to fully prepare for retirement life."

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Well-being

Understanding the emotional intensity and evaluating well-being across finances, health, work, and life.

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Financial wellness

Assessing financial and investing confidence, as well as current habits related to spending, saving, and debt.

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Retirement

Determining retirement timelines and understanding employees’ approach to financial planning and advice.

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Workplace benefits

Understanding employees’ needs from their employers regarding compensation, benefits and support.

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Well-being: Waning optimism about future

In 2024, Hong Kongers' sentiment has slightly decreased from last year, but generally still leans towards optimism. 56% of the respondents are optimistic about the future in the next six months, which is higher than in 2022 (49%).

Regarding long-term financial goals, Hong Kong workers are most confident in ‘maintaining current lifestyle/income’ (44%) and ‘achieving a better work-life balance’ (42%), while they express the least confidence in ‘being financially comfortable in retirement’ (32%) and ‘preparing for later life’ (31%).

Rising living costs and the state of economy remain the main causes of stress for Hong Kongers (72% and 63% respectively), while ‘achieving long-term financial goals’ and ‘preparing for retirement’ continue to be areas of concern for close to 60%.

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Financial wellness: Hong Kongers become more cost-cautious with more young boosting savings

In terms of spending habits, the Hong Kongers surveyed have spent less compared to the past two years, with 50% of the respondents stating that their spending in the past six months was below their affordability level (40% in 2023 and 47% in 2022 respectively).

The number of Hong Kongers increasing and maintaining their savings in the past six months reached 62%, mainly due to ‘taking a higher-paying job’ (41%) and ‘reducing spend on extras’ (38%).

Among them, more younger workers aged 20 to 38 have saved more in the past six months compared to other generations (middle-aged workers: 31%; older workers: 30%).

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Retirement: Managing MPF poses challenges for many

Concerns about inadequate retirement savings among Hong Kong workers have increased by 6 percentage points to 41% when compared to last year (2023: 35%). However, it is worth noting that over 60% of those surveyed stated that their MPF savings account for less than 30% of their retirement pot, indicating that they have other savings/investment sources to support their retirement life.

When it comes to managing MPF, Hong Kong workers encounter different types of challenges. 38% of those surveyed express that MPF fund performance is not competitive, some also aren’t sure how much they need to save for retirement (31%), believe retirement is still far away (25%), or don’t know how to choose MPF funds (23%). Additionally, 22% of the respondents indicate that employers offer limited MPF providers for selection.

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Workplace benefits: Work satisfaction drops, expectations for optional benefits rise

Only three in ten respondents are satisfied with their current jobs, lower than last year (35%).

Most Hong Kong workers have higher expectations from their employers, hoping for more additional coverages and subsidies as well as voluntary options beyond foundational benefits. Among them, 17% of respondents are not keen on participating in benefit decisions and prefer to leave it up to their employers.

Moreover, over half of the respondents consider paid time off (32%) and paid sick leave (23%) as the most valued workplace flexibilities.

*Younger workers, aged 20-38; Middle-aged workers, aged 39-54; Older workers, aged 55≥.

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Understand Financial Wellness

Understand the definition and importance of being financial well

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Determine your Financial Wellness

Assess your personal financial wellness with our easy-to-use tool

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Retirement Savings Guidelines

Rules of thumb that make retirement planning simple

About the Fidelity Global Sentiment Survey

The sample consisted of 37,000 respondents with the following qualifying conditions: aged 20-75, employed full-time or part-time and had a minimum household income of: Australia: AUD $45,000 annually; Brazil: BRL $1,501 monthly; Canada: CAD $30,000 annually; China: CNY ¥5,000 monthly ;Denmark: DKK Kr.100,000 annually; France: EUR €20,000 annually; Germany: EUR €20,000 annually; Hong Kong: HKD $15,000 monthly; India: INR ₹55,001 annually; Republic of Ireland: EUR €20,000 annually; Italy: EUR €15,000 annually; Japan: JPY ¥1.5m annually; Mexico: MXN $4,500 monthly; Netherlands: EUR €20,000 annually; Saudi Arabia: SAR ر.س.4,000 monthly; Singapore: SGD $2,000 monthly; South Korea: KRW ₩1.0m monthly; Spain: EUR €15,000 annually; Sweden: SEK kr200,000 annually; Switzerland: CHF ₣20,000 annually; United Kingdom: GBP £10,000 annually; United Arab Emirates: AED دإ. 5,000 monthly; United States: USD $20,000 annually; New markets surveyed in 2024: Argentina: ARS $3,000,001 annually; Chile: 3,000,001 CLP annually; Colombia: COP $7,000,001 annually; Kuwait: KWD د.ك 6,000  annually; Nigeria: NGN ₦1,000,000 NGN annually; Philippines: PHP ₱10,001 monthly; Poland: PLN zł20,000 PLN annually; South Africa: ZAR R20,000 annually; Thailand: 60,000 baht annually; Vietnam: VND ₫24,000,000 VND annually; Taiwan: TWD NT$300,000 annually.
The data collection, research and analysis for the above markets was completed in partnership with Opinium, a strategic insight agency. Data collection took place between June and September 2024. Reporting and analysis took place between August and October 2024.