Record high: The Labour Department recorded its highest number of job placements in April.

The labour market situation continues to improve, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate falling to a 41-month low - from 6.1% in the January-March quarter to 5.9% in the February-April period.

The underemployment rate dipped 0.1%, from 3.1% to 3%. Total employment fell by 4,500 to 3.35 million, with the total labour force falling from 3,565,100 to 3,559,000. The number of unemployed slipped by 600 to 210,000 while the number of underemployed fell by 2,800 to 107,000.

A drop in unemployment was seen in the foundation and superstructure construction sector, wholesale trade, sanitary services, and welfare and community services, although increases were seen in transport, decoration and maintenance, and hotels.

Underemployment rate falls were mainly seen in the restaurants, amusement and recreational services, and education services sectors.

All-time high

The Census & Statistic Department said the labour market situation has continued to improve and the positive sentiment has been echoed by the number of vacancies received by the Labour Department.

In April the Labour Department received an all-time high of 37,719 vacancies from the private sector, a significant surge of 66% over 22,743 for the same period last year or 5% over 35,970 for March.

On average, the department received 1,670 vacancies per working day last month. The department also recorded the highest number of job placements of 9,193 in April, up 11.4% over the previous peak of 8,254 in March.

The Census & Statistic Department expects the labour supply to be boosted by the entry of a new batch of fresh graduates and school leavers in the next few months. The effect of which will depend on the overall economic performance and, in particular, the job creation capacity in the corporate sector.