Hong Kong: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% from December 2025 to February 2026.

According to the latest labor force statistics released by the Hong Kong Government Census and Statistics Department today (March 18), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has decreased from 3.9% from November 2025 to January 2026 to 3.8% from December 2025 to February 2026. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7% during the same period. Compared to November 2025 to January 2026, the unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) in many major economic sectors have seen a decrease from December 2025 to February 2026, particularly in the retail industry, accommodation services, and foundation and superstructure works. The underemployment rates in each industry remained stable with minor fluctuations. The total employment decreased by about 2900 people from 3,665,900 in November 2025 to January 2026 to 3,663,000 in December 2025 to February 2026. The total labor force also decreased by about 6600 people from 3,804,300 to 3,797,700 during the same period. The number of unemployed people (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by about 3700 people from 138,400 in November 2025 to January 2026 to 134,700 in December 2025 to February 2026. The number of underemployed people also decreased by about 1700 people from 65,100 to 63,400 during the same period. Hong Kong Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Sun Yuk-han, commented that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly by 0.1 percentage points to 3.8% from December 2025 to February 2026 compared to the previous three months. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7%. The total labor force and employment slightly decreased, and the number of unemployed people also reduced. Looking ahead, Sun Yuk-han expressed that the momentum of continuous economic growth in Hong Kong should continue to support the overall labor market, although the employment situation in some local industries may still face challenges due to their business performance. The government will remain vigilant in monitoring the evolution of various external uncertainties and closely observe whether this will have an impact on the recruitment intentions of related industries.