Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate continued to rise amid the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia. The general unemployment rate for March-May 2020 was 2.4% and the unemployment rate of local residents was 3.4%, up by 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points respectively from the previous period (February-April 2020). Meanwhile, the underemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 2.6%.

Total labour force was 404,300 and the labour force participation rate was 70.5%. Total employment was 394,600 and number of employed residents totalled 280,100, up by 400 and 2,200 respectively from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in the Construction sector increased, while that in Retail Trade and Hotels & Similar Activities decreased.

Number of the unemployed grew by 800 to 9,700 from the previous period. Among the unemployed population searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in Retail Trade and in Gaming & Junket Activities. Meanwhile, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job decreased by 0.7 percentage points to 5.1% of the total unemployed.

Number of the underemployed increased by 2,300 to 10,600, with the majority working in Gaming & Junket Activities, the Construction sector, Retail Trade and the Transport & Storage sector.

In comparison with March-May 2019, the underemployment rate, the unemployment rate and the labour force participation rate rose by 2.2, 0.7 and 0.1 percentage points respectively.