XN000022-1996-01-16 — Page 3

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Unemployment and underemployment statistics

The provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period October to December 1995 was slightly lower, at 3.5%, while the provisional underemployment rate was slightly higher, at 2.3%.

These latest labour force statistics are released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period September to November 1995 was 3.6%, and the underemployment rate was 2.2%.

Commenting on the latest figures, a government spokesman said with the unemployment and underemployment rates in the three months ending December showing little change from the corresponding figures in the three months ending November, the labour market remained generally stable in overall terms.

Underlying the 3.5% unemployment rate was a continued more rapid increase in total labour supply than in total employment.

In the three months ending November 1995, total labour supply rose by 3.4% over a year earlier, while total employment was 1.7% higher.

During the period September to November 1995, the number of unemployed persons with previous jobs was estimated at 99,000. Another 16,100 unemployed persons were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 68,000.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey.

The survey for September to November 1995 covered a quarterly sample of some 18,100 households or 61,700 persons, selected scientifically to represent the land-based civilian non-institutional population in Hong Kong. Data were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the households sampled.

In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organisation.