Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate improved to 2.8% in the period from July to September 2023, from 3.9% 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 was unchanged from the previous quarter ended August 2023.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1,900 from 112,100 in June - August 2023 to 114,000 in July - September 2023. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1,000 from 38,900 to 37,900.

The unemployment rates of the various sectors stayed low in general in July - September 2023, mostly showing only small changes compared with the preceding three-month period.

Meanwhile, total employment increased by around 5,800 from 3,714,500 in June to August 2023 to 3,720,300 in July to September 2023. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 7,700 from 3,826,600 to 3,834,300.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun, said, "The continued growth of consumption- and tourism-related activities would continue to support the labour market."