Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that owing to the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia, the general unemployment rate for February-April 2020 increased by 0.1 percentage point to 2.2% from the previous period (January-March 2020), and the unemployment rate of local residents rose by 0.2 percentage points to 3.1%. The underemployment rate grew by 1.3 percentage points to 2.1%.

Total labour force was 403,100 and the labour force participation rate was 70.0%. Total employment was 394,200 and number of employed residents totalled 277,900, down by 3,200 and 2,300 respectively from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in the Transport & Storage sector and Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities showed relatively large decreases.

Number of the unemployed continued to rise, up by 400 from the previous period to 8,900. Among the unemployed population searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in Gaming & Junket Activities and in the Construction sector. Meanwhile, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job decreased by 2.3 percentage points to 5.8% of the total unemployed.

Number of the underemployed increased by 5,100 to 8,300, with the majority working in Retail Trade, the Construction sector, Gaming & Junket Activities and the Transport & Storage sector.

In comparison with February-April 2019, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate rose by 0.5 and 1.6 percentage points respectively, while the labour force participation rate remained unchanged.