Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 3.8% in the three months ending August 2026, from 3.7% in each of the previous five periods. Not seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate rose to 4.0% from 3.8%, with unemployment increasing across most major economic sectors, with a more pronounced rise observed in food and beverage service activities. The number of unemployed persons increased by 8,200 month-on-month to 153,900, while total employment rose by 4,400 to 3.652 million. The youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 climbed to 9.1% from 8.4%. The underemployment rate also ticked up to 1.9% from 1.7%, with the number of underemployed persons rising by 5,900 to 72,100. Meanwhile, the participation rate went up to 56.6% from 56.3%, as the labor force increased by around 12,600 to nearly 3.806 million. source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong increased to 3.80 percent in August from 3.70 percent in July of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong averaged 3.72 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 September of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong increased to 3.80 percent in August from 3.70 percent in July of 2026. 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
2026-08-20 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%
2026-09-17 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 3.8% 3.7% 3.7%
2026-10-22 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 3.8% 3.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 3652.00 3647.60 Thousand Aug 2026
Job Vacancies 45380.00 48610.00 Jun 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 56.60 56.30 percent Aug 2026
Population 7.51 7.50 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 119.20 114.00 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 153.90 145.70 Thousand Aug 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.80 3.70 percent Aug 2026
Wages 19783.00 19683.00 HKD/Month Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 19050.00 18629.00 HKD/Month Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.10 8.40 percent Aug 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
3.80 3.70 8.50 1.00 1981 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Hong Kong Jobless Rate Ticks Up to 3.8%
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 3.8% in the three months ending August 2026, from 3.7% in each of the previous five periods. Not seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate rose to 4.0% from 3.8%, with unemployment increasing across most major economic sectors, with a more pronounced rise observed in food and beverage service activities. The number of unemployed persons increased by 8,200 month-on-month to 153,900, while total employment rose by 4,400 to 3.652 million. The youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 climbed to 9.1% from 8.4%. The underemployment rate also ticked up to 1.9% from 1.7%, with the number of underemployed persons rising by 5,900 to 72,100. Meanwhile, the participation rate went up to 56.6% from 56.3%, as the labor force increased by around 12,600 to nearly 3.806 million.
2026-09-17
Hong Kong Jobless Rate Unchanged at 3.7%
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7% in the three months ending July 2026, staying at its lowest level since the period ending August 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased by 6,000 month-on-month to 145,700, while total employment rose by 1,500 to 3.648 million. The youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 climbed to 8.4% from 7.5%. The underemployment rate also edged higher to 1.7% from 1.6%, with the number of underemployed persons rising by 3,800 to 66,200. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate ticked up to 56.3% from 56.2%. Looking ahead, Mr. Chris Sun, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, said, “The ongoing expansion of the local economy is expected to underpin overall labour market conditions, though fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market may pose some pressure on the unemployment rate. The potential impacts of external headwinds on corporate hiring sentiments also continue to warrant attention.”
2026-08-20
Hong Kong Unemployment Rate Steady
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% in the three months ending June 2026, remaining at its lowest level since the period ending August 2025. The number of unemployed people declined by 1,400 month-on-month to 139,700, while total employment increased by 6,800 to 3.6 million. However, labor market conditions among younger workers weakened, with the unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 rising to 7.5% from 7%, the highest since the three months ending November 2025. The underemployment rate also edged up to 1.6% from 1.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate inched higher to 56.2% from 56.1% in the previous period. Looking ahead, Mr Sun said the continued economic expansion should support the overall labour market, although the influx of fresh graduates and school leavers during the summer may have some impact. The Government will closely monitor how external uncertainties affect corporate hiring sentiment.
2026-07-17