Average staff turnover across employers in Hong Kong reached 17% in 2012, the highest since 2003, according to the 2012 full year Survey on Manpower Statistics undertaken by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM).

The 17% level means a company with 100 employees sees 17 leave throughout the year. The number was also a big leap on 2011’s 14.5% staff turnover rate.

The top three sectors for turnover were retail (35.6%), restaurant/catering (34.9%) and other business activities (33%). However, in the final quarter of year, now sector saw staff turnover exceeding 10%.

For the first quarter of 2013, most (55.1%) firms said they would continue hiring at Q4 2012 levels. Over a quarter (29%) said they would increase hiring.