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Comparing the latest period November 1996 January 1997 with the period October-December 1996, declines in the unemployment rate were observed in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, import/export trade, restaurants and hotels, and financing and business services sectors. As to the underemployment rate, the decrease was across-the-board.
Total employment continued to show robust growth, at a faster pace than total labour force. In the three months ending December 1996, total employment increased by 4.2% over a year earlier, while total labour supply increased by 3.2%.
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During the period October December 1996, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 81,200, and the number of underemployed persons at 49,500.
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for October - December 1996 covered a quarterly sample of some 23,100 households or 77,600 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.
'Seasonally adjusted' refers to adjustment for seasonal variations in the proportion of first-time job-seekers in the labour force.
Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the report on the General Household Survey which is published four times a year.
The next report covering the quarter ending December 1996 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre at ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by the end of March 1997.
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