Xinhua reported that the data reflects stronger hiring compared to the previous quarter. However, the number showed a decline when compared on a year-on-year basis.

The increase was driven by gains in both resident and non-resident employment. Resident employment expanded further in sectors such as financial services and health and social services, while outward-oriented industries like professional services and information and communications continued to see job losses.

Non-resident employment growth was entirely attributed to work permit holders, particularly in the construction sector, the ministry said.

After easing slightly in April and May, both resident and citizen unemployment rates edged up in June, returning to levels recorded in March.

“Global economic uncertainty is expected to persist in the months ahead and may weigh on hiring and wage growth, particularly in outward-oriented sectors,” the ministry said.

According to a business expectations survey conducted by the ministry between April and June, the proportion of firms expecting to hire dipped from 44% in the second quarter to 43.7% in the third quarter.

The share of firms expecting to raise wages also fell, from 24.4% to 22.4%.

The employment figures exclude migrant domestic workers, the ministry noted.