19.08.202509:04:30UTC+00Hong Kong Jobless Rate Climbs to Over 2-½-Year High

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.7% for the three months ending in July 2025, up from 3.5% during the preceding period, marking the highest level since the three-month period ending November 2022. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 8,800 to reach a two-and-a-half-year peak of 145,000, even as total employment expanded by 14,000 to 3.67 million. Unemployment rates climbed across several major sectors, including foundation and superstructure, food and beverage services, retail, and real estate. Youth unemployment, affecting individuals aged 20-29, escalated to 7.3%, the highest rate since November 2022, from 6.8% in June. Concurrently, the labor force participation rate inched up to 57% from 56.7%. Looking forward, continuous economic growth is anticipated to spur job creation, offering increased opportunities for recent graduates and school leavers. Although unemployment trends will differ among industries, government measures aimed at stimulating growth, enhancing consumption, and attracting investment are expected to support overall labor demand.