Unemployment rate stable at 3% in September to November

The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1% over the same period.

Both unemployment and underemployment rate remained unchanged at 3% and 1.1% respectively for September to November, according to the latest labour force statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong noted that unemployment rates were notably lower in retail, professional and business services and import and export trade sectors.

The number of unemployed persons fell from 123,600 in August-October to 117,800 in September-November. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased from 44,200 to 41,600.

Total employment increased by from 3,837,100 in August-October to 3,840,300 in September-November but the labour force decreased from 3,960,700 to 3,958,000.

There was an increase in underemployment in the food and beverage service sector whilst a decline was recorded in the foundation and superstructure works of the construction sector.