Hong Kong ranks second in Asia-Pacific ETF ownership, BlackRock survey finds
A BlackRock survey shows 31 per cent of Hong Kong adults hold ETFs, the second-highest rate in Asia-Pacific. Nearly half plan to invest more in the next year, with average daily turnover reaching HK$39.8 billion in the first eight months of 2026.
Hong Kong's exchange-traded funds (ETFs) market has a strong foundation for growth, with the second-highest ETF ownership among five Asia-Pacific markets surveyed, according to a BlackRock survey. Retail investors are increasingly turning to such products to build long-term wealth, the asset manager said.
The study of over 2,000 Hong Kong adults found 31 per cent currently held ETFs, representing the second-highest ownership rate among the four other surveyed markets: Australia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. Nearly half of respondents intend to invest or allocate more in the next 12 months.
This participation is supported by an increasingly active market. In the first eight months of 2026, average daily ETF turnover in Hong Kong reached HK$39.8 billion, up 18 per cent year on year.
The survey also found that investors are extending regular investments such as Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions to personal portfolios with specific purposes, as 69 per cent of current ETF investors are interested in goal-based investments.
Investors are considering a broader range of ETF approaches to meet different portfolio needs. Although equity and bond ETFs remain the most widely held and considered, active, income-generating and thematic ETFs show the strongest potential growth interest. Each serves a different role: active ETFs give managers flexibility to pursue specific investment objectives, income-generating ETFs aim to provide regular distributions, and thematic ETFs offer targeted exposure to long-term structural trends. The survey showed 54 per cent of current and prospective ETF investors prefer clear, simplified product explanations.
When investors choose an ETF provider, brand trust carries almost as much weight as track record and fees, the survey added.
Nicholas Peach, head of iShares Asia Pacific at BlackRock, said that Hong Kong investors are not only tapping markets via ETFs but increasingly building ETF-centric portfolios to hit their key financial targets. The trend resonates across Asia Pacific amid wider ETF options, easier access and rising investor knowledge.