Unemployment rate jumped to 3.5%

Check out the losing sectors.

In a report, the Census & Statistics Department announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.4% in December-February to 3.5% in January-March, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate increased from 1.5% to 1.6%.

Increases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly observed in the cleaning and similar activities, and accommodation and food services sectors. For the underemployment rate, increases were mainly seen in the postal and courier activities and construction sectors.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said labour demand stayed buoyant in the first quarter of 2013 and total employment rose further to a new record high of 3,720,200.

"Nevertheless, as the labour force likewise expanded by a larger extent, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5%."

While the resilient domestic consumption and further growth of inbound tourism will continue to underpin labour demand, the employment situation going forward will hinge crucially on overall economic growth and the capacity of the corporate sector to create jobs.

"Uncertainties in the external environment, including those stemming from the fluid European sovereign debt situation and the escalating geopolitical tensions, remain a cause of concern."

The labour force increased by 17,600 to 3,852,700 in January-March. The number of unemployed (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 9,400 to 132,500. Over the same period, the number of underemployed increased by 2,500 to 61,100.