Core Viewpoint - The unemployment rate in Hong Kong has risen to 3.7% from 3.5% in the previous quarter, marking the highest level since late 2022, with significant implications for the local economy and employment landscape [1][2][3]. Employment Data - The total number of employed individuals in Hong Kong is 3.671 million, while the total labor force stands at 3.816 million, resulting in an unemployment count of 145,000 [1]. - The unemployment rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous quarter and by 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024 [2]. Sector-Specific Unemployment - The construction and catering industries are particularly affected, with unemployment rates exceeding 5%, specifically reaching 7.2% in construction and 6.4% in catering [4]. - The retail sector has also seen a rise in unemployment, increasing by 0.3 percentage points to 5% [4]. Economic Outlook - The construction industry's ongoing decline is attributed to developers' lack of confidence in acquiring land and starting new projects, leading to a sustained increase in unemployment [6]. - Predictions suggest that if businesses maintain a cautious hiring approach, the unemployment rate could approach 4% in the coming months, although improvements may occur if the real estate and retail sectors recover [7]. Structural Issues - There are concerns regarding structural reasons behind the rising unemployment rate, prompting discussions on potential measures to alleviate the situation [8]. - The government has noted that the increase in unemployment is partly due to new graduates entering the job market, which typically occurs during the summer [9]. Labor Market Dynamics - There is a debate regarding the impact of foreign labor on local employment, with some local workers expressing concerns about job availability and wage pressure due to the influx of foreign workers [12]. - Employers argue that a lack of sufficient local manpower in sectors like retail and catering necessitates the hiring of foreign labor to improve service quality and reduce business closures [13]. Policy Considerations - The government is reviewing the "Supplementary Labor Optimisation Scheme," which currently restricts the importation of foreign labor for certain job categories, with a decision expected by mid-2026 [16]. - Proposed measures include enhancing transparency in labor market data and adjusting application quotas to better align with market needs [17].

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 unemployment rate in Hong Kong increased from 3.4% to 3.5% between February-April 2025 and March-May 2025, respectively [1] - The underemployment rate also rose from 1.3% to 1.4% during the same period [1] - Total employment decreased by approximately 12,400 individuals, from 3,677,100 to 3,664,700 [1] - The total labor force declined by about 6,000, from 3,806,500 to 3,800,500 [1] - The number of unemployed individuals increased by around 6,400, from 129,400 to 135,800 [1] - The number of underemployed individuals rose by approximately 6,000, from 47,600 to 53,600 [1] Group 2 - The Secretary for Labour and Welfare noted that the slight increase in the unemployment rate reflects ongoing uncertainties in the external environment and changes in consumer behavior [2] - The labor market may be further impacted by the influx of new graduates and school leavers in the coming months [2] - Despite these challenges, the local economy is expected to grow by 2% to 3% this year, supported by a record number of local and foreign registered companies [2]

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]