18.11.201910:41:00UTC+00Hong Kong Jobless Rate Rises In October

Hong Kong's jobless rate rose during the August to October period, data from the Census and Statistics Department showed on Monday.

The unemployment rate increased to 3.1 percent during the August to October period from 2.9 percent during the three-month ended in September.

The number of unemployed persons increased by 5,100 persons to 125,400 in the three months ended in October from 120,300 in the previous three months.

The number of employed persons decreased by 11,600 persons to 8.438 billion during the August to October period.

"The labor market eased further as economic conditions continued to worsen," the Secretary for Labor and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said.

The unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related segment, which includes retail, accommodation and food services sectors, increased to 5.0 percent the highest since the beginning of 2017, the official said.