Jobsdb by SEEK Releases “Workplace Happiness Index” Report - 47% of Hong Kong workers report feeling happy; with Gen Z and Millennials facing highest level of burnout
Jobsdb by SEEK, Hong Kong’s leading employment marketplace, today released its “Workplace Happiness Index” report based on an independent survey of 1,020 Hong Kong workers. The findings reveal that only 47% of Hong Kong workers reported feeling happy at work, while 40% described their sentiment as “neutral” and 14% stated they were unhappy. The survey also highlights that happy employees are five times more motivated at work than their unhappy counterparts and are less likely to consider changing jobs, underscoring that boosting employee happiness is key to enhancing talent retention and productivity. Across the eight Asia Pacific markets where SEEK operates, Hong Kong recorded the lowest level of workplace happiness. Indonesia ranked highest in the region, with 82% of respondents stating they feel happy at work, while markets with more competitive corporate cultures, including Singapore (56%) similarly recorded lower happiness levels.
“Purpose at work” surpasses “Salary” as top driver of workplace happiness; happy employees are 5x more motivated
The survey found that while salary is important, it is not the most important factor driving workplace happiness for most workers. Data shows that 69% of Hong Kong respondents listed “higher salary” as one of the top five key factors that could make work happier. However, when ranked by importance, “salary” only ranked fifth. On the other hand, respondents view “purpose at work” as the biggest driver of workplace happiness, followed by “day-to-day role responsibilities,” “company culture,” and “stress levels.” Although “purpose at work” and “day-to-day role responsibilities” ranked as the top two key factors, only 45% and 46% of Hong Kong workers respectively felt satisfied with these two aspects, reflecting significant room for improvement.
Workplace stress is a major concern for Hong Kong workers. Approximately two-thirds of respondents are dissatisfied with their current stress levels, while 44% said they are experiencing burnout because of work. Burnout is especially high among unhappy employees, with 72% reporting feeling burnt out at work, a proportion double that of happy employees (35%).
Happy employees demonstrate significantly higher motivation than their unhappy counterparts. Approximately 70% of happy employees expressed a willingness to put in extra effort, compared to just 15% of unhappy employees, representing a fivefold difference in motivation. Furthermore, happyemployees demonstrate greater loyalty: only 36% frequently consider changing jobs, a figure far lower than the 74% recorded for unhappy staff. Bill Lee, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Jobsdb by SEEK, said: “At Jobsdb by SEEK, we're committed to creating the right matches between talent and opportunity, and workplace happiness is central to that mission. This research reveals a significant gap between what employers think drives happiness and what employees actually need. Our data shows that purpose matters more than pay, yet fewer than half of workers feel satisfied with their sense of purpose. Employers need to help employees connect their daily work to the company's mission and ensure their roles align with their skills and passions. Equally important is addressing burnout head-on through open communication and a supportive culture. When employees feel both purposeful and supported, companies see the payoff, happy workers are five times more motivated and far less likely to leave.”
Men and women report wide gap in workplace happiness; Baby Boomers are the happiest; Over half of Millennials consider changing jobs
Workplace happiness varies significantly by gender and age. First, regarding gender: male workers reported an overall happiness level of 56%, 17 percentage points higher than the 39% reported by females. Workplace experiences differ markedly across genders, with 66% and 61% of men believing their work creates a positive impact and that their work is valued, respectively, compared to only 48% and 41% of women who feel the same. This disparity is reflected more specifically in career development, where the satisfaction gap is most pronounced in “career progression opportunities” (gap of 25 percentage points), “salary” (gap of 23 percentage points), and “learning and development opportunities” (gap of 22 percentage points).
Analysing across different generations, Millennials (aged 30–44), who are in the mid-stages of their careers, are the least happy age group, with only 40% feeling happy. In contrast, Baby Boomers (aged 60–64) approaching retirement age are the happiest group in the workplace, with 62% of respondents reporting they are happy. They recorded the highest satisfaction levels across all generations in “purpose at work” and “day-to-day role responsibilities”.
Gen Z (aged 18–29) and Millennials both face high levels of workplace burnout (48%). Their turnover intention is the highest among all generations, reaching 48% and 54% respectively. In contrast, Baby Boomers demonstrate the highest stability with the lowest intension to change jobs, while Gen X (aged 45–59) recording the lowest levels of burnout among all generations.
Notably, Gen Z, the newest entrants to the workforce, while they value work-life balance and interpersonal relationships, they place the highest importance on job security. This trend aligns with the findings of the “Jobseeker Salary Report 2025”, which noted that 80% of employees under 25 worried about job loss in the past 12 months — the highest among all generations — reflecting that while young talents place high importance in flexible working arrangements, they remain deeply anxious about job instability.
Workers perceive AI as a potential career threat; actively equipping themselves for future opportunities
The widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also influencing employee sentiment. The survey found that if companies increase AI investment, 40% of respondents would feel more replaceable, with 57% of this group worrying their skills may become outdated. However, Hong Kong workers are responding proactively to the AI wave. Half of the respondents stated they are learning to use AI tools at work, and one-third have already participated in AI-related courses or training, proactively equipping themselves to embrace future opportunities.
Lee concluded: “The findings reflect that salary adjustments are not the sole answer to workplace happiness, and the needs of employees vary across generations and genders. Employers can utilise anonymous surveys or regular one-on-one meetings to gain a deeper understanding of their teams’ concerns, and adjust management approaches accordingly to elevate employees’ workplace experiences. The survey also indicates that introducing AI may increase anxiety among some employees, with some viewing it as a career threat. We suggest companies strengthen communication with employees, enhance transparency, and consider providing AI training and upskilling programmes to alleviate employees’ worries. Motivated employees can be a driving force for corporate innovation, allowing technology to become a bridge for boosting workplace happiness and productivity, fully realising its positive benefits.”
To view the full “Workplace Happiness Index” report, please click: https://hk.employer.seek.com/market-insights/hk-workplace-happiness-index-2026.
About Jobsdb by SEEK Jobsdb is the leading employment platform in Hong Kong and Thailand, helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organisations succeed. It is a subsidiary of SEEK, a diverse group of companies comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has a strong presence across the APAC region, including six Asian markets – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – through the Jobsdb and Jobstreet brands. SEEK attracts over 500 million visits a year in Asia.