Macau Jobless Rate Remains Unchanged at 1.7%

The unemployment rate in Macau held steady at 1.7% in the three months ending February 2026, unchanged from the previous period. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 100 month-on-month to 6,400, while total employment rose by 800 to 379,700. Job gains were recorded in gaming, hotels and related services, as well as in construction, while employment declined in restaurants and similar activities and remained unchanged in the wholesale and retail trade sector. The labor force participation rate edged up to 67.2% from 67.1% in the previous period. The male participation rate fell to 68.3% from 69.2%, while the female participation rate increased to 66.3% from 65.4%.

The unemployment rate in Macau edged down to 1.7% in January 2026 from 1.8% in the previous month. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 300 month-on-month to 6,500, while total employment contracted by 400 to 378,900. Job gains were recorded in gaming, wholesale and retail trade, real estate, hotels and related services, and restaurants, while the construction sector saw a decline in employment. The labor force participation rate edged down to 67.1% from 67.2% in the previous two months. The male participation rate remained unchanged at 69.2%, while the female participation rate ticked lower to 65.4% from 65.5%.

The unemployment rate in Macau edged up to 1.8% in December 2025 from 1.7% in each of the previous two months. The number of unemployed persons rose slightly by 100 month-on-month to 6,800, while total employment increased by 400 to 379,300. Job gains were recorded in gaming, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and related services, as well as restaurants and similar activities, while the construction sector shed jobs. The labor force participation rate remained unchanged at 67.2%. The male participation rate inched lower to 69.2% from 69.4% in November, while the female participation rate was steady at 65.5%.