Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.5% in the three-month period ended September 2021, when compared to 6.4% in the same period last year, according to the latest labour force statistics published by the Census and Statistics Department.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also decreased from 4.7% in the June to August 2021 period. The underemployment rate also decreased from 2.2% in June - August 2021 to 2.1% in July - September 2021.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by approximately 7,100 from 187,700 in June - August 2021 to 180,600 in July - September 2021. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 7,200 from 86,200 to 79,000.

By sector, the unemployment rates of most economic sectors fell in July - September 2021 as compared with the preceding three-month period, more noticeably in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector, professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities), and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

Total employment increased by around 6,300 from the three-month period ended August 2021 to a total of 3.65 million in July - September 2021.

The labour force in July - September 2021 was 3.83 million about the same as that in June - August 2021.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong said, “The labour market conditions would depend on the pace of the economic recovery. The Consumption Voucher Scheme (a programme aimed at boosting the economy) should continue to render support to consumption-related activities in the near term. Yet, the global pandemic development remains a key source of uncertainty over the economic and labour market outlook.”