The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Hong Kong from May to July was 3.7%, and the underemployment rate rose to 1.7%

The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to the latest labor force statistics published by the Hong Kong Government Statistics Department today (August 20) (that is, provisional figures for May to July 2026), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from May to July 2026 was 3.7%, which is the same as the figure for April to June 2026. The underemployment rate rose from 1.6% from April to June 2026 to 1.7% from May to July 2026.

Compared with April to June 2026, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in various industries varied from May to July 2026. The decline was mainly seen in the foundation and superstructure engineering industries; the increase was mainly seen in the retail industry and transportation industry. In terms of underemployment, the increase was mainly seen in the education sector.

The total number of employed people rose from 3646,100 from April to June 2026 to 36,47,600 from May to July 2026, an increase of about 1,500. The total working population also rose from 378,5,800 to 379,3300 during the same period, an increase of about 7,500.

The number of unemployed (not seasonally adjusted) rose from 139,700 from April to June 2026 to 145,700 from May to July 2026, an increase of about 6,000. The number of underemployed people also rose from 62,400 to 66,200 during the same period, an increase of about 3,800.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare of Hong Kong, Mr Sun Yuhan, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from May to July 2026 remained at 3.7%, the same as in the previous three-month period. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate rose slightly by 0.1 percentage points to 1.7%. The working population and total number of employed persons increased further during the same period.”

Looking ahead, Sun Yuhan said, “Continued expansion of the local economy is expected to support the overall labor market, but fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labor market one after another may put pressure on the unemployment rate. The potential impact of peripheral adverse factors on companies' recruitment intentions is also still worth paying attention to.”