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According to the latest labour force statistics released today (April 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.0% in December 2008 - February 2009 to 5.2% (provisional figure) in January - March 2009. The underemployment rate held stable at 2.1% in both periods (provisional figure for January - March 2009).
Comparing January - March 2009 with December 2008 - February 2009, increases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly observed in the construction, transportation, accommodation services and financing sectors. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the retail trade, and decoration and maintenance sectors, offsetting the increases in the manufacturing, and warehousing and support activities for transportation sectors.
Total employment decreased by around 5 500, from 3 513 100 in December 2008 - February 2009 to 3 507 600 (provisional figure) in January - March 2009. Over the same period, the labour force increased by around 9 800, from 3 685 100 to an all-time high of 3 694 900 (provisional figure).
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 15 200, from 172 000 in December 2008 - February 2009 to 187 200 (provisional figure) in January - March 2009. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons increased by around 3 100, from 76 100 to 79 200 (provisional figure).
Commentary
The labour market weakened further in the first quarter of 2009 as the global economic downturn continued to affect the local economy. The labour force continued to grow by 9 800, while total employment contracted by 5 500. As a result, the number of unemployed persons increased further by 15 200 to 187 200. After discounting the seasonal factor, the unemployment rate increased from 5.0% to 5.2%.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that the unemployment rate would continue to face upward pressure in the near term given the tough economic environment and weak labour market.
Mr Cheung said, "The Government is sparing no effort to ease rising unemployment through a multi-pronged strategy. We are implementing progressively the series of measures announced earlier to stablise the financial system, support enterprises, preserve and create jobs.
"We will closely monitor the employment situation and continue to enhance our employment services on all fronts. We will also make the best of the current adversity to re-equip and upgrade our workforce as well as enhance their employability.
"The Employees Retraining Board will closely monitor the changes in the labour market and adjust the allocation of training places flexibly. The Board plans to provide a maximum of 143 000 training places this financial year to meet the increasing demand," he added.
In March 2009, the Labour Department netted over 50 000 vacancies from the private sector, down 11.4% over the same period last year but up slightly by 0.6% over February 2009. On average, the Department received about 2 300 vacancies per working day.
Further Information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
The survey for January - March 2009 covered a sample of some 24 000 households or 73 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organisation.
Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The current issue of the report covering the quarter October - December 2008 is now available and the next issue covering the quarter January - March 2009 will be available by end May 2009. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/labour/index.jsp).
Print version of the current issue of this publication is available for sale at HK$57 per issue. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
The classification of industry follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC), which is used to classify the industry of an employed person or the previous industry of an unemployed person. Upon the implementation of the new HSIC Version 2.0 by the C&SD in October 2008, the General Household Survey has been enhanced to adopt the HSIC Version 2.0 in compiling labour force statistics by industry, with statistics backcasted to the quarter of January to March 2008. Starting from the reference quarter of January to March 2009, all the labour force statistics by industry, unless otherwise specified, are compiled based on the HSIC Version 2.0.
Enquiries for more detailed labour force statistics for December 2008 - February 2009 can be directed to the General Household Survey Section (2), Census and Statistics Department (Tel.: 2887 5508; Fax: 2508 1501; E-mail: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, April 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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