Rate reduction: The jobless and underemployment rates fell to 3.3% and 1.8% in February-April, the lowest level in a decade.

The jobless rate fell to 3.3% in February-April from 3.4% in January-March, its lowest level in a decade, the Census & Statistics Department says. The underemployment rate fell to 1.8% from 1.9%, also the lowest level in more than 10 years.

Falls in the jobless rate were mainly seen in the amusement and recreational services, restaurants and hotels, and sanitary services sectors. For the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the amusement and recreational services, sanitary services and, foundation and superstructure construction sectors.

While the labour market remained buoyant with a modest expansion, the rise was more than offset by a larger increase in the labour force, bringing the number of jobless people up moderately.

Total employment rose 4,500 to 3.54 million and the labour force grew 6,500 to 3.66 million. Jobless people rose 1,900 to 120,900 while underemployed people dipped 4,700 to 65,800.

The near-term employment outlook will hinge on how the moderation in global economic growth affects the economy, particularly the pace of job creation in the private sector, especially during the summer months, for absorbing the new batch of fresh graduates and school leavers.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said the labour market stayed robust, with 64,976 jobs received in April, up a hefty 54.3% over the same period last year.

He cautioned there is no room for complacency given the uncertainties in Hong Kong's external economic environment and the local skills mismatch problem. The Government will maintain efforts to boost worker skill in the face of a knowledge-based economy.