Hong Kong’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8 per cent over the past three months, although both the labour force and total employment fell slightly.
Preliminary data released by the Census and Statistics Department on Tuesday showed that movements in the unemployment and underemployment rates in different sectors varied in the September to November period, but the changes were not large.
The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.6 per cent.
Advertisement
The jobless rate remains at its second-highest level since the July to September period in 2022, when it stood at 4 per cent.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said that the labour force and total employment decreased slightly over the September to November period, while the number of unemployed individuals also dropped further.
Advertisement
“The solid expansion of the Hong Kong economy and the improving consumer confidence should continue to render support to the overall labour market. Yet, the employment situations in some sectors may remain under pressure as their businesses face challenges,” he said.
The local economy grew 3.3 per cent in the first three quarters year on year, driven by double-digit growth in merchandise exports, improved local demand and the stabilisation of the retail and catering sectors.