Hong Kong’s unemployment rate increased to 3.7% across May to July 2025

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Meanwhile, the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.4%.

Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department has released the latest labour force statistics.

After seasonal adjustment, the unemployment rate increased from 3.5% in April - June 2025, to 3.7% in May - July 2025, while the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.4% across both periods.

In May-July 2025, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in:

• the foundation and superstructure sector,
• the food and beverage service activities sector,
• the retail sector, and
• the real estate sector.

Conversely, declines in the unemployment rate were seen in

• the cleaning and similar activities sector,
• the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector, and
• the social work activities sector.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) also rose by around 8,800 to 145,000, while the number of underemployed persons increased by around 2,600 to 55,200.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, attributed part of the uptick in the number of unemployed person to the influx of fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market.

“The sustained growth of the Hong Kong economy should be able to drive job creation, creating more employment opportunities for fresh graduates and school leavers joining the labour force,” he added.

“While unemployment rates across various industries will continue to hinge on their respective business conditions, the Government's various measures to promote economic growth, bolster consumption sentiment and attract investment are anticipated to support the overall labour demand."