Unemployment rate unchanged at 3.2%
It’s the lowest level since December 1997 - February 1998.
According to the latest labour force statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2% (provisional figure) in July - September 2011, the same as that in June - August 2011. Meanwhile the underemployment rate fell from 1.8% in June - August 2011 to 1.7% (provisional figure) in July - September 2011.
The Census and Statistics Department said:
| Comparing July - September 2011 with June - August 2011, decreases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly observed in the repair, laundry, domestic and other personal service activities, professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar activities), and food and beverage service activities sectors, while increases were more apparent in the cleaning and similar activities, manufacturing, and foundation and superstructure sectors. As for the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the hotels sector as well as the arts, entertainment and recreation sector. Total employment increased by around 5 800 from 3 636 600 in June - August 2011 to 3 642 400 (provisional figure) in July - September 2011. Over the same period, the labour force increased by around 2 800 from 3 766 600 to 3 769 400 (provisional figure). The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 3 000 from 130 100 in June - August 2011 to 127 100 (provisional figure) in July - September 2011. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 2 200 from 68 000 to 65 800 (provisional figure). |
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate held steady at the low level of 3.2%, signifying virtually full employment and a strong local demand for labour."
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