The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.4 percentage points to 4.7% for the period between April and June compared to the period from March to May, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate also decreased to 3% during the period.

Total employment rose by around 17,800 to 3,571,600 while the labour force increased by about 5,000 to 3,750,200.

There were 178,600 unemployed people from April to June, a drop of about 12,800 from the preceding three-month period. The number of underemployed people went down by around 18,800 to 111,600.

Almost all major economic sectors saw a decrease in both the unemployment rate and underemployment rate, with more distinct decreases observed in the construction sector, retail, accommodation and food services sector and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the labour market improved between April and June amid the moderating local COVID-19 epidemic situation and the gradual relaxation of social distancing measures.

The Consumption Voucher Scheme and the 2022 Employment Support Scheme also helped the employment market, he noted.

Looking ahead, the labour market is likely to improve further in the near term as domestic economic activities continue to revive, but the extent of improvement would depend on the local epidemic situation as well as the global and local financial conditions.

Mr Sun emphasised that the various measures rolled out by the Government would continue to provide support for the recovery of the local economy, adding the community should work together with the Government to keep the epidemic under control.