Core Insights - The average salary increase in Hong Kong and Guangdong has shown a downward trend, with Hong Kong at 2.5% (down from 3.5% last year) and Guangdong at 1.8% (down from 2.3% last year) [1][3] - Despite the overall decline, 15% of companies are still able to offer salary increases above 4.5%, indicating that high-performing companies can attract talent even in an economic slowdown [4] - The demand for mid-to-senior management talent in Hong Kong is stabilizing, with a notable decrease in turnover rates for the first time since 2018 [7] Salary Trends - The average salary increase in Macau is 1.6%, down from 2.7% last year, reflecting a similar trend across the region [1] - Certain industries, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and logistics, are expected to see a significant rise in salary increases by 2026 [4] - The starting salary for fresh graduates in Hong Kong has been on the rise for six consecutive years, with increases ranging from 27% to 47% across various sectors [7] Research and Methodology - The survey was conducted by Hong Kong Baptist University and other institutions, involving over 244,000 employees, including 73,262 from Hong Kong, 116,960 from Guangdong, and 54,195 from Macau [6] - The newly launched AI salary advisor platform allows companies to benchmark salaries against over 40,000 businesses in the Greater Bay Area, enhancing the accuracy of salary assessments [8]