Hong Kong's total employment falters in June

Total private sector vacancies also down 15% from year ago

Hong Kong's total employment falters in June

Total employment in Hong Kong's private sector dipped slightly in June 2024 compared with a year earlier after decreasing 0.5% or 14,500 persons, according to the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

The department's employment statistics for June 2024 revealed that decreases were mainly observed in industries including:

  • Wholesale (-6.1% or -3,100 people) 
  • Retail trade (-5.1% or -12,800 people) 
  • Import and export trade (-5.0% or -18,900 people) 
  • Cleaning and similar services (-4.3% or -3,600 people) 

On the other hand, employment surged in the construction industry, covering manual workers only, after going up 11.8% or 13,100 persons.

It also increased in the residential care and social work services industry by 4.3% or 3,100 persons, according to the C&SD.

Overall, the selected industries employed a total of 2,724,100 persons in June 2024, with the import and export trade reporting the highest employment levels at 357,200 persons.

Source: Census and Statistics Department

Vacancies reported

Meanwhile, the total number of vacancies in Hong Kong's private sector in June 2024 also went down by 12,020 or 15% from a year ago, according to the C&SD.

The biggest drop in vacancies was recorded in the retail trade industry with a 2,660 decline (-40%). Others that recorded a decrease include:

  • Education (-2,250 or -25%) 
  • Financing and insurance (-1,450 or -23%) 
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation, and other services (-1,370 or -25%) 

On the other hand, the sectors that reported an increase in job vacancies include the transportation, storage, postal, and courier services (9%), as well as the import and export trade (8%).

The findings come as 39% of employers in Hong Kong are anticipating an increase in hiring for the fourth quarter, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Survey. 

Another 31% are anticipating a decrease, while 29% are not expecting staffing levels to change.