Total private sector vacancies also down 15% from year ago
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.
