Hong Kong unemployment rate rises to 3.9 per cent in third quarter
Hong Kong's unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent in the July-September period, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous quarter. The underemployment rate also edged up to 2 per cent. The government attributed the rise to increases in social work and warehouse sectors, while noting overall employm
Hong Kong's latest unemployment rate has risen to 3.9 per cent, with the underemployment rate reaching 2 per cent, both increasing by 0.1 percentage point, according to the Census and Statistics Department.
The department said that unemployment rates across industries varied during the July-to-September period, with relatively significant increases in social work activities and warehousing and transport support services. For underemployment, the rise was mainly seen in food and beverage services and the retail sector.
Total employment and the overall labour force both grew. The number of employed persons rose from 3.652 million in the June-to-August period to 3.655 million in July-to-September, an increase of about 3,000. The total labour force also increased to 3.81 million over the same period.
The number of unemployed persons rose from 153,900 in June-to-August to 155,000 in July-to-September, an increase of about 1,100. The number of underemployed persons increased to 75,000 during the same period.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Sun Yuet said the labour force and total employment had further increased as graduates and school leavers continued to enter the labour market. He said the local economy's continued expansion, improving business sentiment, and rising visitor arrivals to Hong Kong were expected to support overall employment, particularly in consumption- and tourism-related industries.
The government will continue to closely monitor the potential impact of external uncertainties on companies' hiring intentions and provide appropriate support for job seekers, Sun added.