Hong Kong labour market softens slightly as unemployment rate climbs to 3.9%

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Hong Kong rose slightly to 3.9% in the November 2025–January 2026 period, up from 3.8% in the preceding three months, according to provisional labour force statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department.

The data shows that underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7%, indicating broadly stable labour market conditions despite pockets of pressure across sectors.

Sectoral shifts modest

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, changes across industries were generally small. 

These were partly offset by declines in the transportation sector and in cleaning and similar activities.

Employment dips marginally

Total employment fell by about 1,100 to 3,665,900 in the November–January period, down from 3,667,000 in October–December 2025. The labour force remained broadly steady at 3,804,300, compared with 3,805,200 previously.

The number of unemployed persons held largely stable at 138,400, compared with 138,200 in the prior period. Underemployment also saw minimal movement, with 65,100 persons underemployed versus 64,800 earlier.

Government sees underlying resilience

Commenting on the figures, Hong Kong Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said the unemployment rate had “edged up by 0.1 percentage point,” while the labour force remained broadly unchanged and total employment recorded only a marginal decline.

Looking ahead, Sun noted that sustained economic growth momentum in Hong Kong "should help buttress the overall labour market. Nonetheless, the employment situations in some sectors may continue to be under pressure amid their challenging operating environments"