Unemployment rate drops to 3.8%

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in the July to September period to 3.8% in the August to October period, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate remained at 1.6%.

Total employment was 3,672,700, down around 1,800 from July to September, while the labour force also decreased by around 7,800 to 3,822,300.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the solid expansion of the Hong Kong economy, along with improvements in business sentiment and a gradual recovery in consumption confidence, should give support to the labour market. 

“However, the employment situations of some sectors would continue to face challenges from economic restructuring,” he added.