Total employment in Hong Kong has increased in June 2007 compared with the figures recorded last year.

According to the statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the total employment in the private sector surveyed increased by 2.6% to 2.4 million in June this year. Import and export trade employed 520,000 persons, followed by retail trade (232,600 persons), business services (227,400 persons) and restaurants (201,600 persons).

Statistics have shown that employment increased most in financing and insurance (7.7%), sanitary and similar services (7%), hotels and boarding houses (7%), medical, health and related services (5.5%) and business services (4.8%). Employment decreased in manufacturing (-2.3%) and at construction sites (-2.2%).

It is reported that job vacancies have increased, mainly in business services (15%), financing and insurance (14%), import and export trade (7%), recreational and other personal services (18%), and welfare and community services (34%). Decreases were recorded in communication (-4%) and manufacturing (-2%).