Macau Jobless Rate Edges Down to 1.8%

Macau’s unemployment rate eased to 1.8% in September 2026 from 2.0% in the previous month. The number of unemployed people edged up by 100 month-on-month to 6,000, while total employment also edged down by 700 to 375,200. The labour force participation rate edged down to 66.4% from 66.7%, as the labour force decreased by 1,400 to 382,000. Meanwhile, the general underemployment rate inched up to 1.6% from 1.5% in August. By sector, recreational, cultural, gaming and other services remained the largest source of employment, accounting for 25.3% of employed residents, followed by wholesale and retail trade (11.9%), public administration and social security (11.4%), and hotels, restaurants and similar activities (10.9%).

Macau’s unemployment rate rose to 2.0% in August 2026 from 1.9% in the previous month, reaching the highest level since August 2025. The number of unemployed people fell by around 500 month-on-month to 5,900, while total employment also declined by 800 to 375,900. The labour force participation rate edged down to 66.7% from 66.8%, as the labour force decreased by 400 to 383,400. Meanwhile, the general underemployment rate edged down to 1.5% from 1.7% in July. By sector, gaming remained the largest source of employment, accounting for 61.7% of employed residents, followed by wholesale and retail trade (35.6%), real estate and business activities (23.5%), hotels and similar activities (18.4%), and transport and storage (16.1%).

Macau’s unemployment rate held steady at 1.9% in July 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The number of unemployed people fell by around 400 month-on-month to 6,400, while total employment increased by 300 to 376,700. The labour force participation rate was also stable at 66.8%, with the overall labour force edging up by 200 to 383,800. Meanwhile, the general underemployment rate declined slightly to 1.7%, down 0.1 percentage point from June. By sector, gaming remained the largest source of employment, accounting for 62.6% of employed residents. Wholesale and retail trade followed with 36.1%, while real estate and business activities represented 24.7%. Accommodation and food services accounted for 19.5%, and transport and storage for 16.4%.