JOBLESS RATE STAYS AT 3.9%

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.9% for the period between November 2021 and January 2022, the same as for October to December 2021, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate increased to 1.8% during the period.

Total employment dropped by about 4,200 to 3,676,500 while the labour force fell by about 12,300 to 3,811,700.

There were 135,200 unemployed people from November 2021 to January 2022, a drop of around 8,100 from the preceding October to December period. The number of underemployed people rose by around 3,000 to 69,800.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said the fifth wave of the local epidemic began to weigh on the labour market.

Although the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.9%, the underemployment rate turned to increase by 0.1 percentage point over the periods of comparison, he said, adding that total employment turned to decline by 4,200 while the labour force dropped further by 12,300.

Analysed by sector, the unemployment rate of the food and beverage service activities sector went up by 0.3 percentage points to 6.2%, while for the arts, entertainment and recreation sector unemployment rose by 1.3 percentage points to 5.3%.

The increases are due to the worsened local epidemic situation in January hindering activities in these sectors. On the other hand, unemployment in many other sectors continued to decline, notably in the manufacturing, transportation, storage, postal and courier services, and information and communications sector.

Looking ahead, Dr Law said the deterioration in the local epidemic situation will place further pressure on the labour market.

He noted that the sixth round of measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund, estimated to benefit 67,000 businesses, operators of 40,000 transport tools and 750,000 individuals, should render some support.

“However, the outlook of the labour market would hinge on the development of the local epidemic. It is thus essential for the community to work in unison to help and support the Government to put the local epidemic under control as swiftly as possible.”

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