Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in the three months ending in May 2026, unchanged from the previous period and remaining at its lowest level since the three months ending in August 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased by 1.9 thousand month-on-month, while total employment fell by 8.7 thousand to 3.64 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 edged up to 7.0% from 6.8%, while the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.5%. The labor force participation rate ticked down to 56.1% in the three months ending in May from 56.3% in the preceding period. Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said, "The ongoing economic expansion should continue to support the overall labour market. The Government will continue to closely monitor evolving external uncertainties and their potential implications for the Hong Kong economy.". source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong remained unchanged at 3.70 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong averaged 3.71 percent from 1981 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 8.50 percent in June of 2003 and a record low of 1.00 percent in July of 1989. This page provides the latest reported value for - Hong Kong Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Hong Kong Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong remained unchanged at 3.70 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong is expected to be 3.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Hong Kong Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 3.60 percent in 2027 and 3.40 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-19 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%
2026-06-16 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
May 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%
2026-07-17 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 3.7% 3.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 3639.30 3648.00 Thousand May 2026
Job Vacancies 46003.00 51452.00 Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 56.10 56.30 percent May 2026
Population 7.51 7.50 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 113.50 111.30 points Dec 2024
Unemployed Persons 141.10 139.20 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.70 3.70 percent May 2026
Wages 19683.00 19565.00 HKD/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 18629.00 18565.00 HKD/Month Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 7.00 6.80 percent May 2026


Hong Kong Unemployment Rate
In Hong Kong, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.70 3.70 8.50 1.00 1981 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Hong Kong Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 3.7%
Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in the three months ending in May 2026, unchanged from the previous period and remaining at its lowest level since the three months ending in August 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased by 1.9 thousand month-on-month, while total employment fell by 8.7 thousand to 3.64 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 edged up to 7.0% from 6.8%, while the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.5%. The labor force participation rate ticked down to 56.1% in the three months ending in May from 56.3% in the preceding period. Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said, "The ongoing economic expansion should continue to support the overall labour market. The Government will continue to closely monitor evolving external uncertainties and their potential implications for the Hong Kong economy."
2026-06-16
Hong Kong Unemployment Rate Steady at 3.7%
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in the three months ending in April 2026, unchanged from the seven-month low recorded in the previous period. The number of unemployed persons increased by 2,600 to 139,200, while total employment fell by 7,700 to 3.65 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 edged down to 6.8% from 6.9% in March, while the underemployment rate eased to 1.5% from 1.6%, and the labour force participation rate slipped slightly to 56.3% from 56.4%. Looking ahead, authorities said the solid growth momentum of Hong Kong’s economy should continue to support the labour market, although the government will remain vigilant over the potential impact of elevated geopolitical risks and continue to closely monitor developments.
2026-05-19
Hong Kong Unemployment Rate at 7-Month Low
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 3.7% in the three months ending March 2026 from 3.8% in the previous month, marking the lowest reading since August 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased by 1,900 month-on-month to 136,600, while total employment declined by 7,300 to 3.66 million. The youth unemployment rate, for those aged 20 to 29, remained steady at 6.9%, unchanged from February. The underemployment rate ticked lower to 1.6% from 1.7%, and the labour force participation rate also decreased to 56.4% from 56.5%. According to Mr. Chris Sun, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, “The sustained growth of the Hong Kong economy should underpin the overall labour market. The Government will continue to closely monitor developments in geopolitical tensions and assess the potential implications for the labour market.”
2026-04-23