The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly from 4.9% in March-May to 5% in April-June, the Census & Statistics Department says. The underemployment rate rose from 2.6% to 2.7%.

Rises in the unemployment rate were mainly seen in the sanitary services, construction and business services sectors. The increases in the underemployment rate were concentrated in the communications, amusement and recreational services, and manufacturing sectors.

Total employment dropped from 3,437,500 in March-May to 3,426,000 in April-June. Over the same period, the labour force fell from 3,612,300 to 3,605,000.

The number of jobless grew from 174,800 to 179,000 while the number of underemployed rose from 95,100 to 96,000.

The department said total employment fell by a somewhat larger magnitude. However, overall sentiment in the economy and the labour market in particular remained positive.

Labour market outlook

In the next couple of months, the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers may still affect the labour force and unemployment figures. These newcomers can, however, be expected to be increasingly absorbed into employment, provided that more new jobs are created upon further growth in economic activity.

In June, the Labour Department received 39,484 private sector vacancies, up 16.7% over the same month last year. For the first half of the year, the figure stood at 239,636, up 25.5% over the same period last year.

To help young school leavers enter the labour market, the department will continue to offer 20,000 training places under the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience Training Scheme. Joint enrolment will commence on July 29.

It will also join the Education & Manpower Bureau to organise an Information Expo at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill on July 29 to 30.