Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the general unemployment rate (2.2%) and the unemployment rate of local residents (2.8%) for December 2023 - February 2024 held steady from the previous period (November 2023 - January 2024). Meanwhile, the underemployment rate dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 1.3%.

The labour force living in Macao totalled 379,000 and the labour force participation rate was 67.7%. Total employment (370,800) rose by 100 from the previous period, of which employed residents (284,300) dropped by 1,200. Analysed by industry, employment in Wholesale & Retail Trade and the Construction sector decreased, while that in Hotels & Similar Activities increased.

Number of the unemployed (8,200) decreased by 200 from the previous period. Among the unemployed searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in Retail Trade, the Construction sector and Gaming & Junket Activities. Meanwhile, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job fell by 2.8 percentage points to 6.4% of the total unemployed.

Number of the underemployed (4,900) fell by 800 from the previous period, with the majority working in the Transport & Storage sector and the Construction sector.

In comparison with December 2022 - February 2023, the labour force participation rate, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate decreased by 0.6, 1.1 and 1.4 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 102,100 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 (481,100) increased by 1,200 from the previous period.