Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 3.7% in May-July 2026 to 3.8% in June-August 2026, while the underemployment rate increased from 1.7% to 1.9%, according to provisional figures the Census and Statistics Department released on September 17, 2026. Total employment rose by around 4 400 to 3 652 000, and the labour force grew by around 12 600 to 3 805 900. The number of unemployed people increased by around 8 200 to 153 900, and the number of underemployed people rose by around 5 900 to 72 100.

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose across most major economic sectors, most notably in food and beverage service activities. Underemployment increases were mainly in food and beverage service activities and construction.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said the seasonally adjusted rate edged up 0.1 percentage point and underemployment rose 0.2 percentage point, while both the labour force and total employment increased. He said continued local economic expansion is expected to support overall labour market conditions, though conditions across industries will depend on their own business circumstances and external uncertainties affecting hiring sentiment warrant attention.

The figures come from the continuous General Household Survey, which covered a sample of some 25 000 households, or 65 000 persons, and represented the June to August 2026 period.