The “Construction Expenditure Forecast” published by the CIC earlier forecast that the overall 10-year construction expenditure, including both public and private sectors, in Hong Kong from 2021/22 to 2030/31 would reach a level over HK$300 billion per annum. 
    Based on the construction expenditure forecast, the CIC forecast that the mismatch in supply and demand at the levels of professionals, technicians, site supervisory personnel, and construction workers would be 5-15% in 2023 and 15-20% in 2027. This would mean that the mismatch in supply and demand would increase from about 10,000 skilled workers in 2023 to about 40,000 skilled workers in 2027.
    For technicians and site supervisory personnel, the mismatch will increase from 3,500 in 2023 to 8,500 in 2027, and the corresponding increase of mismatch of professionals will be from 4,000 to 6,500. The above-mentioned mismatch is a result of comparing the forecast manpower demand based on construction expenditure forecast with the current manpower supply. It has not taken into account the effect brought about by the different measures for enhancing manpower supply and uplifting productivity and reducing manpower needs through technology adoption.
    A spokesperson for the CIC said, “The CIC has submitted the manpower forecast results to the government for consideration. The Hong Kong construction industry has been facing the challenges of an ageing workforce and increasing demand for construction manpower in recent years, and the CIC has been working with the government under a multi-pronged approach to address the manpower mismatch, including enhancing training and recruitment as well as driving the adoption of advanced construction techniques and new technologies to develop local manpower and uplift industry productivity.