Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Driven by Remote Founders from the Middle East

HONG KONG SAR – Air Corporate has reported a remarkable 40.5% increase in company incorporations in Hong Kong for the year 2025. The first quarter of 2026 has already shown a year-over-year rise of 48%, signaling a robust resurgence for Hong Kong as a premier jurisdiction for company formation. This growth is largely attributed to a significant influx of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe seeking more cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

Shifting Dynamics in Company Formation

Recent trends have suggested that Singapore was overtaking Hong Kong as the preferred location for business registration. However, the latest data challenges this narrative. According to official figures, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore. Vivian, the Founder of Air Corporate, emphasized that despite the buzz surrounding Singapore’s rise, Hong Kong remains a dominant player in the region.

Vivian noted, “For 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, versus around 77,000 for Singapore.” The overall city-wide registrations increased by approximately 35% in 2025, while Air Corporate’s specific growth outpaced this average at 40.5%. “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company,” she added.

Global Landscape of Founders

The landscape of company formation in Hong Kong is increasingly characterized by a global, lean, and founder-led approach. Notably, 90% of founders who incorporated with Air Corporate do not reside in Hong Kong. Key insights from Air Corporate’s client base reveal the following demographics and operational trends:

• Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while only 10% are based in Hong Kong.
• The largest age group among entrepreneurs is aged 35 to 44, comprising 38% of the total, indicating that Hong Kong attracts seasoned founders rather than just younger digital nomads.
• Serial entrepreneurs represent 60% of Air Corporate’s clientele, using Hong Kong as a base for multiple ventures, while first-time founders make up the remaining 40%.
• A significant 89% of new companies are established by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
• The top source markets for these founders include Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco.

Trade and Economic Implications

A noteworthy 73% of new incorporations in Hong Kong are linked to physical goods trade with China, including e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and goods trading (35%). The revival of in-person trade events, such as the Canton Fair, is drawing foreign founders back into the Greater China region, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a vital entry point and financial hub for the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data also indicates a 20% year-over-year growth in founders from the Middle East. This trend reflects a reverse migration, where entrepreneurs who initially incorporated in Dubai are now opting for Hong Kong. Vivian observed that many founders arrive in Dubai with expectations of quick incorporation and low costs, only to find that the actual costs of incorporation and maintenance are significantly higher than in Hong Kong, coupled with challenges in banking. As a result, many founders transition to Hong Kong after spending 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend that has been accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

The Speed of Incorporation

For remote-first businesses, the ability to quickly enter the market is crucial. Founders worldwide can incorporate in Hong Kong and establish a working bank account in approximately seven days, thanks to partnerships with digital banking providers. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking services.

Vivian concluded, “Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week.”

Air Corporate serves as a facilitator for company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong, catering to serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating on a global scale.

For more information about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-05-15 05:11:00 • By the Editorial Desk