Help wanted: The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in the January to March period while the underemployment rate rose from 2.1% to 2.2%.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in the January to March period, from 4.6% in the December-February quarter. The underemployment rate rose from 2.1% to 2.2%.

The Census & Statistics Department today said the 4.4% figure was the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2008. Falls in the unemployment rate were mainly seen in the insurance, arts, entertainment and recreation, and information and communications sectors.

Increases in the underemployment rate were mainly seen in the transportation and construction sectors.

Owing to seasonal fluctuation which resulted in a reduced number of seasonal jobs after the Lunar New Year holiday, the unemployment rate for the construction sector rose to 8%, and that for young people aged 15 to 19 grew to 18.2%.

Employment improvement

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said while business activities in a number of sectors moderated somewhat owing to seasonal fluctuation, the fundamentals of the labour market remained robust.

The latest feedback on job vacancies and the number of placements suggested more new jobs will likely be created in the corporate sector in the coming months, he said, adding this should help improve the employment situation in the near term.

With fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market this summer, labour supply will increase, he added.

"The employment outlook depends much on how well the economy can sustain the current momentum, thereby creating jobs to absorb these first-time job seekers."

Total employment fell by around 16,900 to 3,496,700. The labour force dropped from 3,672,700 to 3,657,300.

The number of unemployed increased by 1,500 to 160,600. The number of underemployed grew from 78,200 to 80,000.