Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in the period from November to January 2022, down from 7.0% during the same period the year prior, according to the latest labour force statistics by the Census and Statistics Department. When compared to the previous period from October to December 2021, the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 8,100 from 143,300 in October - December 2021 to 135,200 in November 2021 - January 2022. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons increased by around 3,000 from 66,800 to 69,800.

Analysed by sector, the unemployment rate of the food and beverage service activities sector went up by 0.3% over the preceding three-month period to 6.2% in November 2021 - January 2022, and that of the arts, entertainment and recreation sector went up by 1.3% to 5.3%. This is because the worsened local pandemic situation in January 2022 hindered activities in these sectors.

On the other hand, the unemployment rates of many other sectors continued to decline, notably those of the manufacturing sector and the transportation, storage, postal and courier services, information and communications sector.

Total employment decreased by around 4,200 from 3.68 million in October - December 2021 to 3.67 million in November 2021 - January 2022. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 12,300 from 3.82 million to 3.81 million.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong said, “The fifth wave of local epidemic began to weigh on the labour market.”

In November 2021 - January 2022, the Labour Department recorded a monthly average of 97,011 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year increase of 81.2% while a drop of 9.6% over the average figure in October - December 2021. 

Looking ahead, Chi-kwong said,“The deterioration in the local epidemic situation of late will pose further pressure on the labour market. The sixth round of measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund, which are estimated to benefit 67 000 businesses, operators of 40 000 transport tools and 750 000 individuals, should render some support. However, the outlook of the labour market would hinge on the development of the local epidemic. It is thus essential for the community to work in unison to help and support the government to put the local epidemic under control as swiftly as possible. The government will continue to monitor the situation closely."