Hong Kong: Total employment in private sector decreased by 0.4% year-on-year in March, while the number of job vacancies decreased by 12% year-on-year.

According to the statistics released by the Hong Kong government's Census and Statistics Department today (June 22), compared with the same period last year in March 2026, the total number of employees in private organizations in the industries covered by the survey decreased by 0.4%, a reduction of 10,100 people. The number of job vacancies is 48,610, a decrease of 12% or 6,560 from the same period last year. Employee Statistics In March 2026, the total number of employees in all industries covered was 2,704,300. The number of employees in the import and export trade industry was 336,200, followed by the professional and commercial services industry (excluding cleaning and similar services) with 319,800 employees, the finance and insurance industry with 231,600 employees, the retail industry with 228,800 employees, the education industry with 220,600 employees, and the catering service industry with 217,600 employees. Compared with the same period last year, the changes in the number of employees in selected industries are varied. Increases were mainly seen in the real estate industry (3.4% or 4,900 people), arts, entertainment, recreation, and other services (2.5% or 3,100 people), and accommodation, care, and social work services (2.3% or 1,700 people). On the other hand, industries with a decrease in the number of employees mainly include construction sites (only including site workers) (-9.0% or -11,200 people), import and export trade (-3.9% or -13,600 people), transportation, warehousing, postal and courier services (-1.0% or -1,700 people), retail industry (-0.9% or -2,000 people), and wholesale industry (-0.9% or -400 people). Job Vacancy Statistics Of the 48,610 job vacancies in private organizations in March 2026, the finance and insurance industry accounted for 4,900, the education industry and accommodation, care, and social work services each accounted for 4,680, professional and commercial services (excluding cleaning and similar services) accounted for 4,620, and the catering service industry accounted for 3,630. In March 2026, the number of job vacancies in most selected industries decreased compared to the same period last year. The decreases were mainly seen in the catering service industry (-1,230 or -25%), education industry (-980 or -17%), human health services (-790 or -22%), and arts, entertainment, recreation, and other services (-750 or -21%). On the other hand, industries with an increase in job vacancies mainly included the finance and insurance industry (240 or 5%) and manufacturing industry (130 or 7%). In terms of major occupational categories, the job vacancies in private organizations are mainly for service and sales staff (16,550), auxiliary professionals (9,440), and professionals (8,480). Seasonally Adjusted Statistics To identify the latest trends in employee and job vacancy statistics for private organizations, one can refer to the seasonally adjusted changes in employee numbers and job vacancies over a 3-month period. Compared to December 2025, the total number of employees and job vacancies in the industries covered by the survey in March 2026, after seasonally adjusting, decreased by 0.3% and increased by 1.6%, respectively.