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According to the latest labour force statistics released today (July 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.6% (provisional figure) in April - June 2010, same as that in March - May 2010. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 2.0% (provisional figure for April - June 2010).
Comparing April - June 2010 with March - May 2010, decreases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly observed in the construction, social work activities, and financing sectors, while increases were more apparent in the postal and courier activities, manufacturing, and education sectors. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the transportation and wholesale sectors, offsetting increases in the professional and business services, and warehousing and support activities for transportation sectors.
Total employment increased by around 8 800 from 3 483 300 in March - May 2010 to 3 492 100 (provisional figure) in April - June 2010. Over the same period, the labour force increased by around 8 300 from 3 655 700 to 3 664 000 (provisional figure).
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 600 from 172 400 in March - May 2010 to 171 800 (provisional figure) in April - June 2010. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1 000 from 74 700 to 73 700 (provisional figure).
Commentary
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.6% in April - June 2010, following a slight increase in the previous quarter.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, noted that total employment over the period increased by 8 800. "This was the first time since December 2009 - February 2010 that total employment had increased, reflecting that companies have become active in recruitment and that the new jobs created were able to absorb the concurrent increase in labour supply," he said.
Mr Cheung pointed out that the unemployment rate of the construction sector decreased markedly by 0.9 percentage point from 8.5% in March - May 2010 to 7.6%. Within that sector, the unemployment rate for the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sub-sector fell substantially by 2.0 percentage points to 8.7% and that for the foundation and superstructure sub-sector decreased by 0.6 percentage point to 7.2%.
"This indicated that the Government's efforts to boost employment in the construction sector in the past year have progressively taken effect," he said.
On youth employment, Mr Cheung noted that with the increased supply in the labour market arising from the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers, the unemployment rate of the 15-24 age group went up by 1.1 percentage points to 12.2%. The jobless rate for the 15-19 age group fell slightly from 20.6% to 20.4%, whereas that for the 20-24 cohort rose from 9.8% to 11.1%, up by 1.3 percentage points.
Mr Cheung said, "Hong Kong's overall economic performance remains positive. Whilst companies adopted a more cautious approach in hiring when the Eurozone debt crisis surfaced in April and May, with the external environment stabilising recently, they are now in a better recruiting mood.
"Looking ahead, the employment situation will still hinge on the pace of economic growth, in particular whether the number of jobs created can continue to absorb the entry of new fresh graduates and school leavers into the labour market in the next few months.
"Besides, the Eurozone debt crisis and its contagion may still pose uncertainties and challenges to the local labour market. We will remain vigilant and continue to monitor the labour market situation closely," he added.
In June 2010, the number of private sector vacancies posted by the Labour Department increased significantly by 33.3% from 45 983 in the same period of last year to 61 302, and rose slightly, by 0.3% when compared to 61 089 in the preceding month. The number of successful placements dropped from 12 417 in May 2010 to 12 142, but up by 31.6% over 9 226 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 April - June 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 January - March 2010 is now available and the next issue covering the quarter April - June 2010 will be available by end August 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 March - May 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/Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:32
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