All sewn up: Economic indicators suggest demand for workers will remain strong.

The number of people with jobs reached a record high of 3.432 million for the October-December 2005 period as the number of jobless declined to its lowest level in 52 months, according to provisional figures from the Census & Statistics Department.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 5.3% for October-December 2005, unchanged from September-November 2005. The provisional underemployment rate edged up from 2.4% to 2.5%.

Total employment increased by around 13,000 - from 3,419,000 in September-November. In the same period, the total labour force increased by around 5,200, to 3,614,000 from 3,608,800.

The number of jobless fell by around 7,800, to 182,000 for October-December from 189,800 for September-November. In the same period, the number of underemployed increased by around 700, to 89,000 from 88,300.

Comparing October-December with September-November, there were more jobs in the manufacturing, hotels, transport, and sanitary-services sectors. 

Amusement and recreational services, as well as medical services sectors, shed jobs, and increases in underemployment were mainly seen in the restaurants and transport sectors.

Labour demand expected to remain firm

Key economic indicators continue to be buoyant. After discounting the effect of the usual upsurge in business activity around the Christmas and New Year holidays, though, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3%.

For 2005 as a whole, the jobless rate averaged 5.6%, well below the 6.8% in 2004. This was due to faster growth in total employment - 2.3% - than the 1% growth in the total labour force. 

Looking ahead, labour demand is expected to stay firm in the run-up to the Lunar New Year.

For the whole of 2005, the Labour Department netted an all-time high of 425,952 vacancies from the private sector, up 43.3% over 2004.

The department also achieved a historic high job placement of 113,090 in 2005 - up 31% over 2004. On average, 400 job placements were made on each working day.

To respond flexibly to employers' recruitment needs and help job-seekers find work quickly, the department held 12 large job fairs and 46 district-based ones in 2005, reaching out to remote districts such as Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun.

This year, it plans to hold 13 large fairs and 50 district-based ones.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

The survey for October - December 2005 covered a sample of 24,000 households or 76,000 people, selected to represent the population of Hong Kong. Each member of the household aged 15 or over was interviewed.

Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the Quarterly Report on General Household Survey. The next issue of the report covering the quarter October - December 2005 will be available for sale at $42 by the end of February. Both print and download versions can be purchased online at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong".

Purchasing details

Download versions of the publication can be purchased for $31.50 - a 25% discount - at the online Statistical Bookstore. If purchased online, the print version is offered at 15% off, or $35.70, at the Statistical Bookstore as well as the Government Bookstore.

The print version is available through the post, by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded here. It is also available at the Census & Statistics Department's Publications Unit, 19/F, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Questions? Call 2582 3025.