Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the general unemployment rate (2.8%) and the unemployment rate of local residents (3.8%) for August-October 2021 decreased by 0.1 percentage point from the previous period (July-September 2021). Meanwhile, the underemployment rate increased by 0.6 percentage points to 4.5%.

The labour force living in Macao totalled 387,300 and the labour force participation rate was 68.6%. Total employment was 376,400 and the number of employed residents totalled 280,300, up by 800 and 1,100 respectively from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in Wholesale & Retail Trade increased, while that in Gaming & Junket Activities decreased.

Number of the unemployed decreased by 300 from the previous period to 10,900. Among the unemployed 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 increased by 1.0 percentage point to 15.9% of the total unemployed.

Number of the underemployed rose by 2,500 from the previous period to 17,500, as some establishments suspended operations due to the import-related cases of coronavirus infection reported during the period of September to October. Most of the underemployed were working in Gaming & Junket Activities, Hotels & Similar Activities, Restaurants & Similar Activities and in the Construction sector.

In comparison with August-October 2020, the labour force participation rate, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 1.4, 0.1 and 0.7 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 83,400 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 was 470,700, a decrease of 700 from the previous period.