Unemployment and underemployment statistics for February - April 2025
According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for February - April 2025) released today (May 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.2% in January - March 2025 to 3.4% in February - April 2025. The underemployment rate also increased from 1.1% in January - March 2025 to 1.3% in February - April 2025.
Comparing February - April 2025 with January - March 2025, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in the construction sector, accommodation services sector, food and beverage service activities sector, and financing sector. Meanwhile, declines in the unemployment rates were seen in the information and communications sector; insurance sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector. As to the underemployment rate, increases were mainly seen in the construction sector and cleaning and similar activities sector.
Total employment decreased by around 15 600 from 3 692 700 in January - March 2025 to 3 677 100 in February - April 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 9 000 from 3 815 500 to 3 806 500.
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 6 600 from 122 800 in January - March 2025 to 129 400 in February - April 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 4 900 from 42 700 to 47 600.
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point from a low level in January - March 2025 to 3.4% in February - April 2025. The underemployment rate went up to 1.3%. The labour force and total employment decreased further to 3806500 and 3677100 respectively from the preceding three-month period."
Looking ahead, Mr Chris Sun said, "Various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing a transitional period, and the trends of their unemployment rates may go upward or downward. However, the recent easing of trade tensions, the continued growth in the Mainland economy, the Government’s various measures to boost economic momentum and the continuous positive growth of the overall economy will provide support to the labour market."
Mr Chris Sun said, "Although we see some recent closures of shops, there have also been openings of many new shops. As at end-2024, the number of companies registered in Hong Kong has reached a record high of 1.46 million, likely against emergence of new demands and new consumption trends. The recent successful organisation of a series of mega events in Hong Kong, coupled with the concerted efforts of the Government in tandem with different industries including tourism, catering, hospitality and retail, has led to a significant increase in the number of inbound visitors, which will bring about more opportunities to the labour market."
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
The survey for February - April 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of February to April 2025.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter October - December 2024 while the next issue covering the quarter January - March 2025 will be available by end May 2025. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).
43 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Silver Wing" and "Twilight", joint operations with the Labour Department codenamed "Lightshadow" and "Rainbow", a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed "Flabbergast", and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" from December 14 to yesterday (December 18). A total of 34 suspected illegal workers, five suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested.
During operation "Silver Wing", ImmD officers raided 10 target locations, including restaurants and a laundry factory. Seventeen suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 10 men and seven women, aged 21 to 49. Among the arrestees, two were visitors, while the remaining 15 were imported workers who were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at a non-contractual workplace or by performing duties that were not stipulated in the contract. Two men, aged 33 and 50, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
During a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed "Lightshadow", investigators raided 102 target locations, and a total of three suspected illegal workers were arrested for allegedly engaging in food delivery work. The three arrested suspected illegal workers are non-ethnic Chinese males, aged 31 to 42, who were non-refoulement claimants holding recognizance forms that prohibit them from taking any employment in Hong Kong.
During other anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers targeted different industries and raided multiple locations including renovation flats, a leather repair store, warehouses and restaurants etc. Fourteen suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and four overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and eight women, aged 22 to 62. Among them, a woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three Hong Kong female residents, aged 62 to 88, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
Investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Moreover, after entry into the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the imported worker admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract and cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors. Change of the employer, post or place of work (unless stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract) is not permitted. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."
The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
43 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
