HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 2.9 percent in the December-February period to 3.0 percent from January to March, according to official data released on Thursday.

The underemployment rate also increased from 1.0 percent to 1.1 percent during the same period, the Census and Statistics Department said.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was still at a low level though edging up by 0.1 percentage point from December- February

The number of unemployed persons increased by around 9,400 from 102,300 in December-February to 111,700 in January - March. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 2,400 to 40,000.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was still at a low level though edging up by 0.1 percentage point from December- February.

He said the labor force bounced back by 3,100 to 3,800,100 while total employment decreased by 6,300 to 3,688,400.

The unemployment rates of most sectors increased in the January - March period compared with the preceding three-month period, but stayed low in general.

 "As the economy continues to grow, the labor market will likely remain tight in the near term," Sun added.