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According to the latest labour force statistics released today (March 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.9% in November 2009 - January 2010 to 4.6% (provisional figure) in December 2009 - February 2010. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate declined from 2.2% to 2.1% (provisional figure).
Comparing December 2009 - February 2010 with November 2009 - January 2010, decreases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly observed in the foundation and superstructure, retail and food services, cleaning activities and warehousing and support activities for transportation sectors. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the decoration and maintenance, and transportation sectors.
Total employment increased by around 7 900 from 3 505 700 in November 2009 - January 2010 to 3 513 600 (provisional figure) in December 2009 - February 2010. Over the same period, the labour force increased by around 700 from 3 672 000 to 3 672 700 (provisional figure).
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 7 300 from 166 400 in November 2009 - January 2010 to 159 100 (provisional figure) in December 2009 - February 2010. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 2 400 from 80 600 to 78 200 (provisional figure).
Commentary
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased notably by 0.3 percentage point to 4.6% in December 2009 - February 2010, the lowest since November 2008 - January 2009. In particular, the unemployment rate of the 15-24 age group showed significant improvement, down by 1.2 percentage points to 9.9% (not seasonally adjusted), which was mainly attributable to the decrease in the numbers of unemployed school leavers (who were also first-time job-seekers) and unemployed persons with post-secondary degree. Moreover, the unemployment rate of the construction sector dropped slightly to 7.3%, indicating that the unemployment situation of the sector is steadily improving.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that the notable drop in unemployment in December 2009 - February 2010 was mainly due to a significant job gain of 7 900 led by the pick-up in overall economic activities.
"In fact, total employment recorded a solid increase of 8 600 in the previous quarter, i.e., November 2009 - January 2010. This indicates that the labour market is continuing to revive and that many employers are in a stronger recruiting mood.
"Given the positive business sentiment and market feedback on vacancies, unemployment is likely to ease further in the next couple of months.
"Beyond that, the outlook will hinge on the external environment and the pace of economic growth, in particular, the number of jobs created for absorbing the new batch of fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market during this summer," Mr Cheung said.
In February 2010, the number of private sector vacancies posted by the Labour Department was 40 088, down by 16.2% when compared with the preceding month. The decrease was mainly due to the fact that there were fewer working days in February. The number of successful placements dropped from 10 607 in January 2010 to 9 517, but up by 9.3% over 8 710 in the same period last year.
Further Information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
The survey for December 2009 - February 2010 covered a sample of some 24 000 households or 74 000 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 2009 is now available and the next issue covering the quarter January - March 2010 will be available by end May 2010. 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).
Enquiries for more detailed labour force statistics for November 2009 - January 2010 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/Thursday, March 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:33
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