8月19日，中国香港特区政府统计处公布经季节性调整的最新失业率数据，今年5月至7月，当地失业率达到3.7%、失业人数达14.5万。同期总就业人数 367.1万人、总劳动人口381.6万人。 与4月至6月的3.5%相比，当地最新失业率上升0.2个百分点，人数亦多出近8800人；与2024年同期的3.1%相比，数字则上升了0.6个百分点；再与2023年当 地近乎实现"全民就业"时相比，当年失业率数据则维持在2.8%左右的水平。 因事关就业及经济发展形势等多重背景，如何解读及应对这一创下了2022年9月至11月以来新高的失业率数据，正在当地引发热议。 各方关注的焦点之一，是推动整体失业率上升的核心原因，为当地主要行业失业情况均出现上升，其中尤其以建造业及餐饮业成为"重灾区"（失业率超过 5%），失业率分别升至7.2%及6.4%。而在吸纳就业人口较多的零售业领域，失业率情况亦回升0.3个百分点，达到5%。 具体而言，当地建造业失业率呈现持续增加态势，上升0.4个百分点至7.2%，其中，地基及上盖工程失业率上扬0.6个百分点，达到7%；楼房装饰、修葺及 保养失业率虽达8%，但已较前一统计周期的8.3%回落了0.3个百分 ...

Business Outlook - The overall expectation for business conditions in Q3 2025 is less optimistic, with 10% of respondents anticipating better conditions compared to 18% expecting worse conditions, indicating a negative sentiment [1] - Compared to Q2 2025, the proportion of respondents expecting better business conditions in Q3 2025 has slightly increased from 9% to 10%, while the proportion expecting worse conditions remains stable at 18% [1] Industry Analysis - In several industries, respondents generally expect a decline in business/output volume for Q3 2025 compared to Q2 2025, particularly in construction, transportation, warehousing and express services, import and export trade, accommodation and food services, and retail [2] Employment Expectations - Overall, respondents expect employment numbers to remain relatively unchanged in Q3 2025 compared to Q2 2025. However, in the information and communications sector, more respondents anticipate a decline in employment numbers, while in the real estate sector, more expect an increase [3] Pricing Expectations - Most industries expect product prices/service charges to remain stable in Q3 2025 compared to Q2 2025. Notably, in the construction industry, a significant number of respondents expect a decrease in bidding prices [4] - A government spokesperson noted a slight improvement in the overall short-term business outlook for large enterprises compared to the previous quarter, with stable hiring intentions [4]

Group 1 - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Hong Kong increased from 3.2% in January-March 2025 to 3.4% in February-April 2025, while the underemployment rate rose from 1.1% to 1.3% during the same period [1][2] - The total employment decreased by approximately 15,600 from 3,692,700 in January-March 2025 to 3,677,100 in February-April 2025, and the total labor force also fell by about 9,000 from 3,815,500 to 3,806,500 [1][2] - The number of unemployed individuals (not seasonally adjusted) rose from 122,800 to 129,400, an increase of about 6,600, while the number of underemployed individuals increased from 42,700 to 47,600, an increase of approximately 4,900 [2] Group 2 - Various major economic sectors experienced an increase in unemployment rates, particularly in construction, accommodation services, catering services, and finance, while sectors like information and communications, insurance, and arts, entertainment, and recreation saw a decline [1] - The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Sun Yuhan, noted that while some businesses are closing, many new stores are opening, indicating a shift in demand and consumption trends [2] - The number of registered companies in Hong Kong reached a historical high of 1.46 million by the end of last year, suggesting emerging demand and consumption trends are gradually taking shape [2]