The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Hong Kong grew from 5.3 percent in the March-May quarter to 5.4 percent in April-June, while the underemployment rate remained stable at 2.3 percent, according to official figures.
The Census and Statistics Department announced on Monday that total employment fell by 8,700 to 3,506,200. The labour force fell by 5,500 to 3,709,200. The number of unemployed rose by 3,300 to 203,000, while the number of underemployed fell by 300 to 84,900.
Increases in the unemployment were mainly observed in the arts, entertainment and recreation, social work activities and wholesale sectors.
Meanwhile, falls in underemployment were mainly seen in the warehousing and support activities for the transportation sector, offsetting the rise in the decoration and maintenance sector.
Commenting on the new jobless figures, Matthew Cheung, HKSAR's secretary for Labour and Welfare, said despite that the rise in unemployment rate became steeper, the upward pressure still exists as more college graduates are entering the labor market.
He also noted that the global economy has stabilized, which is expected to help ease unemployment./.