The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Hong Kong stood at 3.8% in the period from August - October 2022, down from 4.3% during the same period a year ago, according to the latest labour force statistics published by the Census and Statistics Department.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in July to September 2022 to 3.8% in August to October 2022. The underemployment rate also decreased from 1.8% in July to September 2022 to 1.7% in August to October 2022.

Analysed by sector, the combined unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related sectors (retail, accommodation and food services sectors) fell by 0.6% from the preceding three-month period to 5.2% in August - October 2022. Among these sectors, the unemployment rate for food and beverage service activities fell by 0.8% to 5.4%, and that of the retail sector declined by 0.5% to 5.2%. The unemployment rates of many other sectors also declined, particularly the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 7,900 from 155, 300 in July - September 2022 to 147,400 in August - October 2022. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 5,600 from 69,000 to 63,400.

Total employment increased by approximately 19,700 from 3.62 million in July - September 2022 to 3.64 million in August - October 2022. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 11,800 from 3.78 million to 3.79 million.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun said, "The labour market continued to improve alongside the revival of domestic economic activities.”

Looking ahead, Sun said, "The short-term outlook for the labour market will depend on the performance of domestic economic activities. The tightened financial conditions will continue to constrain demand. Nonetheless, as long as the epidemic remains under control and anti-epidemic measures are suitably relaxed, coupled with the help of the Consumption Voucher Scheme, economic activities should gradually return to normal."