1. In 2Q 2021, non-resident employment declined more sharply, and resident employment grew more slowly.  As a result, total employment declined in 2Q 2021, after registering its first increase in five quarters in 1Q 2021.​

2. Unemployment rates continued to ease in June 2021, and the resident long-term unemployment rate improved.  However, unemployment rates rose in July.  The increase, following a consistent downtrend over the past eight months, reflects a temporary easing of manpower demand in certain sectors due to the tighter COVID-19 restrictions.​​

3. There was a slight increase in retrenchments in 2Q 2021, and the re-entry rate among retrenched residents dipped after rising in the previous two quarters.​

4. The tighter COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily affected demand for manpower in certain sectors.  More employees were placed on temporary layoff or short work-week, particularly in Food & Beverage Services.​

5. With manpower shortages that arose from border restrictions and sustained demand in growth sectors, the ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons improved to above 1 for the first time since March 2019.​