Spikes in unemployment rate observed in insurance, construction, financing sectors
Hong Kong's unemployment rate inched up to 3.9% between November 2025 and January 2026, according to the latest government data.
This is a slight uptick from the 3.8% recorded in October to December 2025.
"The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding three-month period to 3.9% in November 2025 - January 2026," said Labour and Welfare secretary Chris Sun.
According to Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department, the number of unemployed people reached 138,400, about the same as the previous three-month period.
Total employment, however, went down by around 1,100 to 3,665,900 in the November to January period.
"The labour force was broadly on a par with the level in the preceding three-month period. Over the same period, total employment saw a marginal decrease," Sun said.
Changes in employment
Increases in the unemployment rate were recorded in the insurance sector, construction sector, and financing sector.
On the other hand, drops in the unemployment rate were logged in the transport sector and the cleaning and similar services sector, according to the government data.
"The sustained growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should help buttress the overall labour market," Sun said.
"Nonetheless, the employment situations in some sectors may continue to be under pressure amid their challenging operating environments."
The findings come as 34% of employers in Hong Kong reported plans to increase hiring volume in 2026, according to a global survey from Robert Walters.
The survey found "renewed hiring activity" across the financial services and professional services sectors, which is expected to carry over into other sectors this year.
