Hong Kong's total employment in September decreased by 11,300 people, a year-on-year decrease of 0.4%.

On December 19, the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released statistics on the number of employees and job vacancies in Hong Kong (previously known as employment and job vacancy statistics). The data shows that in September 2025, compared to the same period last year, the total number of employees in private enterprises covered by the Hong Kong survey fell by 0.4%, a decrease of 11,300 people; while the number of job vacancies was 51,450, a decrease of 23% or 15,010 from the previous year. In September 2025, the total number of employees in all industries covered was 2,710,200. The number of employees in the import/export trade industry was 342,700, followed by the professional and commercial services industry (excluding cleaning and similar services) with 314,800 employees, the finance and insurance industry with 238,500 employees, the retail industry with 230,000 employees, and the catering services industry with 217,500 employees. Compared to the same period last year, the changes in the number of employees in selected industries varied. Increases were mainly seen in the human health care services industry (3.6% or 5,700 people), the finance and insurance industry (3.5% or 8,000 people), and the manufacturing industry (2.1% or 1,600 people). On the other hand, industries with a decrease in the number of employees included construction sites (only including site workers) (-6.2% or -7,600 people), import/export trade industry (-3.7% or -13,000 people), retail industry (-3.0% or -7,100 people), and cleaning and similar services industry (-2.6% or -2,200 people). Of the 51,450 job vacancies in private enterprises in September 2025, 5,860 were in the finance and insurance industry, 5,260 were in the education industry, 5,120 were in professional and commercial services (excluding cleaning and similar services), 4,830 were in human health care services, and 4,230 were in accommodation, care and social work services. In September 2025, the number of job vacancies in most selected industries decreased compared to the previous year. The decreases were mainly seen in the transportation, warehousing, postal and courier services industry (decrease of 2,260 or 45%), catering services industry (decrease of 1,820 or 33%), human health care services industry (decrease of 1,760 or 27%), and arts, entertainment, recreation and other services industry (decrease of 1,620 or 38%). On the other hand, industries with an increase in job vacancies included the finance and insurance industry (increase of 860 or 17%) and the information and communication industry (increase of 260 or 11%). Analyzing by major occupation group, the job vacancies in private enterprises were mainly for service and sales personnel (16,920), professional personnel (9,580), and auxiliary professional personnel (9,340).