Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.7% in the three-month period ended August 2021, when compared to 6.2% 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 decreased from 5.0% in May to July 2021 to 4.7% in June to August 2021.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased from 198,400 in May - July 2021 to 187,700 in June - August 2021. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased from 92,300 to 86,200.

Comparing June - August 2021 with May - July 2021, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) decreased across almost all the major economic sectors. To the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the construction sector; food and beverage service activities sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

Meanwhile, total employment increased by approximately 1,700 from 3.65 million in May - July 2021 to 3.65 million in June - August 2021. Over the same period, the labour force decreased from 3.84 million to 3.83 million.

The total number of vacancies stood at 45,440 for June 2021, representing an increase of 16% or 6,320 over the preceding year.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong said, "The labour market continued to improve, thanks to the economic recovery.

Looking ahead, Law said, "The labour market should see further improvement as the economy continues to recover. The government's disbursement of electronic consumption vouchers will continue to render support to consumption-related activities. Yet, with the spread of the more infectious Delta variant in many places around the world, the global pandemic remains a key source of uncertainty over the economic and labour market outlook.”