Hong Kong’s jobless rate remains at 3.8 pc in September–November

Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8 percent in the September to November period, unchanged from the preceding three-month period, according to figures released by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

Labour force statistics published on Tuesday (Dec 16) showed that the number of unemployed persons decreased by 5,200 to 144,400 during the period.

The underemployment rate also remained stable at 1.6 percent, with 60,900 underemployed persons recorded from September to November, compared with 60,800 from August to October.

The C&SD noted that movements in both the unemployment and underemployment rates varied across different industry sectors, but overall changes were modest.

Total employment declined by around 2,800, from 3,672,700 in the August to October period to 3,669,900 between September and November. Over the same period, the labor force decreased by approximately 8,000 to 3,814,300.

“The steady expansion of the Hong Kong economy and improving consumer confidence should continue to render support to the overall labor market,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said.

However, Sun cautioned that employment conditions in some sectors may remain under pressure as businesses continue to face ongoing challenges.