Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9% in the three months ending September 2026, from 3.8% in the previous period. Not seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate also rose slightly to 4.1% from 4.0%, as the number of unemployed persons increased by 1,100 month-on-month to 155,000. Job losses were particularly notable in the social work activities sector and the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 3,000 to 3.655 million. The youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 remained unchanged at 9.1%. The underemployment rate edged higher to 2.0% from 1.9%, with the number of underemployed persons rising by 2,900 to 75,000, mainly in the food and beverage service activities and retail sectors. The participation rate was steady at 56.6%. source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong increased to 3.90 percent in September from 3.80 percent in August 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 November of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong increased to 3.90 percent in September from 3.80 percent in August 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
2026-09-17 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 3.8% 3.7% 3.7%
2026-10-22 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 3.9% 3.8% 3.7%
2026-11-17 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Oct 3.9% 3.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 3655.00 3652.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Job Vacancies 45380.00 48610.00 Jun 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 56.60 56.60 percent Sep 2026
Population 7.51 7.50 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 119.20 114.00 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 155.00 153.90 Thousand Sep 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.90 3.80 percent Sep 2026
Wages 20060.00 19783.00 HKD/Month Jun 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 18982.00 19050.00 HKD/Month Jun 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.10 9.10 percent Sep 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
3.90 3.80 8.50 1.00 1981 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Hong Kong Jobless Rate Edges Higher to 3.9%
Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9% in the three months ending September 2026, from 3.8% in the previous period. Not seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate also rose slightly to 4.1% from 4.0%, as the number of unemployed persons increased by 1,100 month-on-month to 155,000. Job losses were particularly notable in the social work activities sector and the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 3,000 to 3.655 million. The youth unemployment rate for those aged 20 to 29 remained unchanged at 9.1%. The underemployment rate edged higher to 2.0% from 1.9%, with the number of underemployed persons rising by 2,900 to 75,000, mainly in the food and beverage service activities and retail sectors. The participation rate was steady at 56.6%.
2026-10-22
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