The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 3.9% for the period between October and December last year compared to the September to November period, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate also decreased to 1.7% during the period.

Total employment rose by about 7,400 to 3,680,700 while the labour force dropped about 7,300 to 3,824,000.

There were 143,300 unemployed people from October to December last year, a drop of around 14,700 from the preceding September to November period. The number of underemployed people also dropped by around 3,200 to 66,800.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said: “With the new wave of the local epidemic of late and the tightened social distancing measures in response, the employment situation of the consumption-related sectors could be subject to some pressure in the near term.

“Nevertheless, the latest round of measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund should provide some relief.”

In the coming months, labour market developments would hinge on the local epidemic situation and the pace of economic recovery, he added.

Dr Law also urged the community to follow the anti-epidemic measures and strive towards a wider coverage of COVID-19 vaccination to place the local epidemic under control.