Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the general unemployment rate (1.7%) and the unemployment rate of local residents (2.3%) for August - October 2024 remained unchanged from the previous period (July - September). Meanwhile, the underemployment rate rose slightly by 0.1 percentage point to 1.2%.

The labour force living in Macao (384,200) and total employment (377,500) both fell by 1,800 from the previous period, while the number of employed residents (286,500) dropped by 1,200. Analysed by industry, employment in the Construction sector and the Gaming sector decreased, while employment in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities increased on account of festive holidays.

Number of the unemployed was 6,700, which was similar to that in the previous period but represented a drop of 300 compared to the same period in 2019. With fresh graduates entering the labour market, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job increased by 2.2 percentage points to 18.2% of the total unemployed. Among the unemployed searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in the Gaming sector and Retail Trade.

Number of the underemployed (4,700) increased by 500 from the previous period, and the majority of them were working in Real Estate & Business Activities and the Transport & Storage sector.

In comparison with August - October 2023, the labour force participation rate (67.8%), the unemployment rate (1.7%) and the underemployment rate (1.2%) decreased by 0.5, 0.7 and 0.3 percentage points respectively.

The Employment Survey covers all residential units in the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane, excluding collective living quarters such as dormitories and care homes for the elderly. Individuals living in these units are included in the survey, and therefore Macao residents and non-resident workers who work in Macao but live outside the territory are excluded. According to the preliminary estimates from the movement records, an average of about 103,800 Macao residents and non-resident workers worked in Macao but lived outside the territory during the reference period; when including these individuals, total labour force (488,000) decreased by 1,600 from the previous period.