The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 8.6% in the June-August period to 8.3% in the July-September period, while the underemployment rate fell from 4% to 3.6%.

Comparing July-September with June-August, decreases in the unemployment rate were observed in many of the major economic sectors, including the retail trade, amusement and recreational services, manufacturing, restaurants/hotels, transport, real estate and sanitary services.

As to the underemployment rate, decreases were concentrated in foundation and superstructure construction, hotels, transport and sanitary services.

The total labour force decreased by around 17,700, from 3,510,700 in the June-August period to 3,493,000 in the July-September period. 

Yet total employment had a smaller decrease, by around 6,300 - from 3,201,300 to 3,195,000 between the two periods.

The number of unemployed persons decreased by around 12,400, from 309,400 in the June-August period to 297,000 in the July-September period. 

At the same time, the number of underemployed persons went down by around 14,500, from 141,500 to 127,000.

FS welcomes the downward trend

Welcoming the downward trend, Financial Secretary Henry Tang said the improvement is a combination of influx of tourists and further improvement of the economy.

Mr Tang said many of the new vacancies received came from new employers, in particular small- and medium- sized enterprises.

As Hong Kong's economy is undergoing a structural change, he said, unemployment will continue to be a challenge.

He pledged he will continue to find ways to increase the job opportunities, in particular to help teenagers and the middle-aged to find jobs.