The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.8% in the three months from October to December to 3.9% in the period from November to January, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate remained at 1.7%.

Total employment was 3,665,900, down 1,100 from the October to December period, while the labour force was 3,804,300, about the same as the figure of 3,805,200 in the earlier period.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the Hong Kong economy's sustained growth momentum should help buttress the overall labour market.

“Nonetheless, the employment situations in some sectors may continue to be under pressure amid their challenging operating environments,” he added.