Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.9 percent in July to September from 3.7 percent in June to August, according to the Census and Statistics Department.
Total employment was 3,674,500, down 6,100 from June to August, while the labor force also decreased by around 1,500 to 3,830,100, official data issued on Monday showed.
While the unemployment rate for the food and beverage service activities sector remained unchanged, declines were seen in the financing sector and human health activities sector.
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The underemployment rate during the period remained at 1.6 percent. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the employment situation in some sectors would continue to face challenges during economic restructuring while continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy is expected to support job growth.
The increasing external uncertainties could also weigh on corporate hiring sentiment, he added.
“The government will continue to closely monitor the labor market situation and facilitate job-seeking through enhancing dissemination of employment information.”
