Hong Kong Jobless Rate Remains Stable At 3.7%

(RTTNews) - Hong Kong's unemployment rate increased in the June-August period, labor force statistics from the Census and Statistics Department showed on Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7 percent in June-August, the same as in the May-July period.

The data showed that the underemployment rate rose to 1.6 percent from 1.4 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, the unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.9 percent from 3.8 percent.

The number of unemployed individuals was 151,000, compared to 145,000 in the May-July period.

Data showed that total employment increased by 9,300 to 3.68 million, and the labor force increased by around 15,400 to 3.83 million.

"While the business situations of certain sectors will continue to weigh on employment, steady growth of the Hong Kong economy as well as the government's various measures to boost economic momentum and bolster consumption would provide support to the overall labor demand," Chris Sun, the secretary for labor and welfare, said.