The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 2.9% in the three months from August to October, compared to the figures for July until September, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
 

The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1%.
 

Total employment decreased by around 6,900 to 3,713,400, while the labour force dropped by around 5,100 to 3,829,200.
 

The number of unemployed people increased by around 1,800 to 115,800. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people decreased by around 1,200 to 36,700.
 

Movements in the unemployment rate in different industry sectors varied. Relatively significant increases were observed in the manufacturing sector and the import and export trade sector.
 

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was still at a low level and added that inbound tourism and local consumption would continue to support economic growth in the near term.