Unemployment edges up to 3.8% in June to August

Total unemployed rose by around 8,200 to 153,900.

Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 3.8% in June-August, up from 3.7% in the May-July period, according to the latest labour force statistics from the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

The number of unemployed people grew by around 8,200 from 145,700 in May to July to 153,900 in the latest period,

The unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, increased across most major economic sectors, with a more distinct increase observed in the food and beverage service activities sector, the C&SD said.

Over the same period, the underemployment rate also inched up, from 1.7% to 1.9%, whilst the number of underemployed people rose by around 5,900 to 72,100, from 66,200 previously.

Underemployment increased mainly across the food and beverage service activities and construction sectors.