Total employment in the private sector rose 2.3%, up by 52,900 people, in September over the same month last year. The total number of vacancies was 43,620, similar to that of last year.

The Census & Statistics Department said rises in employment were recorded in the education services and research institutes (7.5%), the business services (6.4%), hotels and boarding houses (5.9%), restaurants (5.5%) and financing and insurance (5.3%) sectors.

But falls were recorded at construction sites (-6.3%), in the wholesale trade (-5.5%) and the manufacturing (-3.7%) sectors.

Among the private sector vacancies, 7,010 were from the import and export trade, 5,180 from the financing and insurance sector, 4,620 from the business-services sector and 4,550 from restaurants.

Vacancies increased in restaurants (26%), education services and research institutes (61%), real estate (15%), medical, health and related services (40%) and the financing and insurance (6%) sectors.