The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance caseload at the end of July had dropped for 64 consecutive months to 240,654 cases, the lowest since December 2001, the Labour & Welfare Bureau says.
The number of unemployment cases and low-earnings cases had decreased for 83 and 89 consecutive months to 15,219 and 5,686.
There was a persistent decrease in the percentage of unemployment cases, from 11.8% in September 2009 to the current 6.3%. The latest number of unemployment cases marked a record low since May 1997.
Meanwhile, there were 145,158 old age cases (60%), 42,031 permanent disability and ill health cases (17%) and 27,950 single parent cases (12%). The cases accounted for nearly 90% of the total caseload.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung visited Social Security Field Units in Sai Ying Pun and Tung Chung today to inspect their operations and the latest CSSA caseload and trend.
He said he is pleased to learn about the dropping figures, saying CSSA can provide a safety net for the elderly and the disabled.
"The drop in unemployment cases showed most CSSA recipients preferred self-reliance amidst the improved economy and labour market," he added.
