The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percentage points to 3.8% for the period between August and October compared to the period from July to September, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate also dipped by 0.1 percentage points to 1.7%.

Total employment rose by around 19,700 to 3,648,600 while the labour force increased by about 11,800 to 3,796,000.

There were 147,400 unemployed people from August to October, a drop of about 7,900 from the preceding three-month period. The number of underemployed people went down by around 5,600 to 63,400.

More distinct decreases in unemployment were observed in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; retail sector; and food and beverage service activities sector.

For underemployment, decreases were mainly seen in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; food and beverage service activities sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the labour market continued to improve alongside the revival of domestic economic activities.

Looking ahead, the short-term outlook for the labour market will depend on the performance of domestic economic activities.

Although tightened financial conditions will constrain demand, economic activities should gradually return to normal as long as the COVID-19 epidemic remains under control and anti-epidemic measures are suitably relaxed, coupled with the help of the Consumption Voucher Scheme, he added.