The majority of them also said they thought globalisation and integration with the mainland would bring more harm than good, with some saying they feared working on the mainland.

The study found that 74 per cent of respondents had remained on the same rung of their career ladder over the past five years, neither being promoted nor demoted.

One-fifth said their status had declined while about 5 per cent said they had been promoted.

A third of them said they were below the level they had expected to be on the career ladder. More than half felt that bad academic credentials held back their careers.

One-third, however, put the blame on government policy failures.

More than 80 per cent said they would not like to work on the mainland, citing inadequate living standards and a fear of the place.

Association president Herman Hu Shao-ming said the young adults had a 'fear of the unknown'.

He urged the government to strengthen national education so 'young people will get to know the mainland is a massive market and offers considerable opportunities'.

Association founding president Samuel Yung Wing-ki suggested that the government increase subsidies to enable more young people to take university courses. He also urged an increase in the amount given to the Continuing Education Fund, where adults with learning aspirations can receive a subsidy of HK$10,000 each to pursue continuing education and training courses.

The association, formed in 2006 by industry leaders to promote the city's economic ties with the mainland, commissioned Powersoft Consultancy - a company affiliated with the Roundtable think-tank - to conduct the study.

The age group in the survey - known as Hong Kong's fourth generation - was set according to a book by Professor Lui Tai-lok of the University of Hong Kong's sociology department, Gary Wong Pui-fung, executive director of Powersoft, said.

Fear factor

Percentage of young adults in a survey who don't want to work on the mainland: 80%