In June, the total number of employees in Hong Kong's private sector decreased by 0.5% year-on-year, while the number of job vacancies decreased by 15% year-on-year.

According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government today (September 20), in June 2024 compared with the same period of the previous year, the total number of employed persons in private sector establishments covered by the survey decreased by 0.5%, or 14,200 persons; while the number of job vacancies was 69,440, a decrease of 15% or 12,020 from the same period of the previous year. Employment statistics In June 2024, a total of 2,724,100 persons were employed in all covered industries. The sectors with the highest employment number were Import and Export Trade with 357,200 persons, followed by Professional and Business Services (excluding cleaning and similar services) with 313,500 persons, Retail with 239,100 persons, Finance and Insurance with 229,300 persons, and Food and Beverage Services with 223,700 persons. Compared with the same period of the previous year, the changes in employment numbers varied across selected industries. Decreases were mainly seen in Wholesale (-6.1% or -3,100 persons), Retail (-5.1% or -12,800 persons), Import and Export Trade (-5.0% or -18,900 persons), and Cleaning and Similar Services (-4.3% or -3,600 persons). On the other hand, the industries with an increase in employment numbers mainly included Construction Sites (workers on sites only) (11.8% or 13,100 persons) and Accommodation, Care and Social Work Services (4.3% or 3,100 persons). Job vacancy statistics Among the 69,440 job vacancies in private sector establishments in June 2024, the Transportation, Warehousing, Postal and Courier Services accounted for 7,640, Professional and Business Services (excluding cleaning and similar services) accounted for 7,120, Education accounted for 6,890, and Food and Beverage Services accounted for 5,680. In June 2024, the number of job vacancies decreased in most selected industries compared to the same period of the previous year. Decreases were mainly observed in Retail (-2,660 or -40%), Education (-2,250 or -25%), Finance and Insurance (-1,450 or -23%), and Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Other Services (-1,370 or -25%). On the other hand, the industries with an increase in job vacancies mainly included Transportation, Warehousing, Postal and Courier Services (620 or 9%) and Import and Export Trade (310 or 8%). Analyzing by major occupational group, the job vacancies in private sector establishments were mainly for service and sales workers (25,760), professional workers (11,400), and support professional workers (10,080). Seasonally adjusted statistics To identify the latest trends in the employment numbers and job vacancy statistics of private sector establishments, one can refer to the seasonally adjusted employment numbers and job vacancy numbers for the three-month changes. Compared with March 2024, the seasonally adjusted total employment number and job vacancy number for June 2024 in the industries covered by the survey decreased by 0.2% and 8.1% respectively. Table 4 lists the seasonally adjusted employment numbers and job vacancy numbers for the three-month changes.