Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in stood at 3.0% in the period from March  – May 2023, down from 5.1% during the same period a year ago, according to the latest labour force statistics published by the Census and Statistics Department.

When compared to the previous three-month period, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by approximately 300 from 114,400 in February - April 2023 to 113,100 in March - May 2023.

Comparing with the preceding three-month period, the unemployment rates of various sectors showed diverse movements in March - May 2023. The combined unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related sectors (including retail, accommodation and food services sectors) remained unchanged at 4.2%.

Among these sectors, the unemployment rates of the retail sector and the food and beverage service activities sector held steady at 3.8% and 4.8% respectively, while that of the accommodation services sector declined by 0.4% to 3.5%.

The unemployment rates of some sectors also declined, notably for the construction sector, the wholesale sector, the human health activities sector and the social work activities sector.

Total employment increased by approximately 17,900 from 3,655,900 in February - April 2023 to 3,673,800 in March - May 2023. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 16,700 from 3,770,300 to 3,787,000.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The labour market continued to improve along with the economic recovery.”