Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate improved to 2.8% in the period from June to August 2023, from 4.1% 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 from June to August 2023 was the same as that from May to July 2023.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in June to August 2023 was 112,100, about the same as that in May to July 2023 (111,700). Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1,600, from 40,500 to 38,900.

According to the Department, the unemployment rates of the various sectors stayed low in general from June to August 2023, though showing diverse movements compared with the preceding three-month period.

The combined unemployment rate of the retail, accommodation, and food services sectors stayed at 3.7%. Among these sectors, the unemployment rate of the food and beverage service activities sector declined by 0.2% to 4.1%, while that of the retail sector edged up by 0.1% to 3.4%. The unemployment rates of some other sectors declined, notably the construction, transportation, and insurance sectors.

Meanwhile, total employment increased by around 6,500, from 3,708,000 in May to July 2023 to 3,714,500 in June to August 2023. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by about 6,900 from 3,819,700 to 3,826,600.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun, said, "The ongoing recovery of inbound tourism and local consumption would continue to support the labour market in the coming months."