The average wage rate, as measured by the wage index, decrease by 0.9% in nominal terms in March 2009 over a year earlier. As for payroll, the index of payroll per person engaged decreased by 0.2% in nominal terms in the first quarter of 2009 over a year earlier.
HK's Balance of Payments Statistics for the First Quarter of 2009
Hong Kong recorded a surplus amounting to $68.9 billion in its BoP account (at 18.1% of GDP) in the first quarter of 2009, as compared with a surplus of $147.3 billion (at 33.8% of GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Employment and Vacancies Statistics for March 2009
Total employment in the private sector surveyed decreased by 1.0% or 25 000 persons in March 2009 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 27 780, representing a decrease of 51% or 28 470 over last year.