This is attributed to returning businesses and government efforts
Hong Kong's unemployment rate further dipped to 4.3% in the May to July period, according to the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), with the number of jobless people decreasing by 10,400.
Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun attributed this improvement to the returning economic activities across Hong Kong, as well as the government-initiated 2022 Employment Support Scheme.
"The labour market improved further in May - July 2022 as domestic economic activities continued to revive. The 2022 Employment Support Scheme has also helped," the secretary said in a statement.
For the food and beverage service sectors, there was a decline of 1.6 percentage points to bring down the unemployment rate to seven per cent, while the retail sector saw a 0.3 percentage points dip to 6.3%.
In addition, the C&SD data revealed noticeable decreases in the decoration, repair, and maintenance for buildings sector; retail, accommodation, and food services sector; transportation sector; as well as the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector.
Read more: Hong Kong's job market starts weakening as recession deepens
Meanwhile, the underemployment rate also decreased to 2.2% in May to July 2022, according to the C&SD, with the number of underemployed citizens decreasing by around 27,300.
Hong Kong's employment rate, on the other hand, saw an increase by around 21,500, said the C&SD, with over 3.5 million employed in May to July.
Sun said the labour market is still expected to improve as long the COVID-19 situation remains under control, and more businesses reopen in Hong Kong.
"Provided that the local epidemic situation remains under control, with the support from Phase II of the Consumption Voucher Scheme, domestic economic activities are expected to revive further in the coming months. The labour market should continue to improve, although the extent of improvement will be dependent on the pace of economic revival amid the tightened financial conditions," said Sun.
"It remains vital for the community to work in unison with the Government to keep the epidemic under control."
