The unemployment rate in Hong Kong dropped to 3.6%, the lowest since February – April 1998.

According to the latest labour force statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in August – October 2007 to 3.6% in September – November 2007. Decreases were observed in almost all major sectors, especially wholesale trade, restaurants and construction.

The statistics also show that the underemployment rate has decreased from 2.3% to 2.2% over the same period. Decreases were mainly in retail trade, welfare and community services, and restaurants.

The total employment increased by 13,400 to an all-time high of more than 3.5 million in September – November 2007. Over the same period, the labour force decreased slightly by 2,500 to 3.6 million. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 15,900 to 127,700, and the number of underemployed persons decreased by 2,000 to 80,200.