16.09.202508:50:41UTC+00Hong Kong Unemployment Holds at Highest Level Since November 2022

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% for the three months ending in August 2025, maintaining July's peak, which is the highest it has been since November 2022. The number of unemployed individuals climbed by 6,000, reaching a three-year high of 151,000. Simultaneously, total employment increased by 9,300, bringing the employment figure to 3.68 million. Unemployment rates have risen in several significant sectors, most notably within the food and beverage services and manufacturing industries. Youth unemployment, affecting those aged 20–29, increased to 7.8%—the highest since October 2021—from 7.3% in July. Additionally, the labor force participation rate slightly increased from 57.0% to 57.2%. Looking forward, Hong Kong's consistent economic growth coupled with government initiatives to boost consumption is anticipated to support overall labor demand, even as some sectors face challenges.