HONG KONG’S seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in 2021 decreased from 4.1 percent in the September-November period to 3.9 percent in the fourth quarter, official data showed Tuesday.

The underemployment rate also decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 1.7 percent in the last three months, according to the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

The unemployment rate decreased across almost all the major economic sectors, with more distinct decreases observed in the construction sector, the retail, accommodation and food services sector, and the education sector.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Secretary for Labor and Welfare of the HKSAR Government Law Chi-kwong said the labor market continued to improve in the fourth quarter amid sustained economic recovery during the period.

Looking ahead, Law said the latest wave of COVID-19 and the tightened social distancing measures will subject the employment situation of consumption-related sectors to some pressure in the near term.

“Nevertheless, the latest round of measures under the Anti-epidemic Fund should provide some relief. The labor market developments in the coming months would hinge on the local epidemic situation and the pace of economic recovery,” Law added. (Xinhua)