Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.7% Amid Increased Employment in Hong Kong, Latest Statistics Show

Unemployment and underemployment statistics for May - July 2025

According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for May - July 2025) released today (August 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.5% in April - June 2025 to 3.7% in May - July 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.4% in the two periods.

Comparing May - July 2025 with April - June 2025, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct increases observed in the foundation and superstructure sector, food and beverage service activities sector, retail sector and real estate sector. Meanwhile, declines in the unemployment rate were seen in the cleaning and similar activities sector; decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; and social work activities sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.

Total employment increased by around 14000 from 3657300 in April - June 2025 to 3671300 in May - July 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 22700 from 3793500 to 3816200.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 8800 from 136200 in April - June 2025 to 145000 in May - July 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 2600 from 52600 to 55200.

Commentary

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "Although the latest unemployment rate rose slightly over the preceding three-month period, we note the positive development that the total employment also increased during the same period. The uptick in the number of unemployed persons was partly attributable to the influx of fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labour market."

Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "The sustained growth of the Hong Kong economy should be able to drive job creation, creating more employment opportunities for fresh graduates and school leavers joining the labour force. While unemployment rates across various industries will continue to hinge on their respective business conditions, the Government's various measures to promote economic growth, bolster consumption sentiment and attract investment are anticipated to support the overall labour demand."

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 May - July 2025 covered a sample of some 26000 households or 68000 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 May to July 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 January - March 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter April - June 2025 will be available by end August 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:28875508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images

Companies Registry releases statistics for 2025

According to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (January 16), a total of 195,343 local companies and re-domiciled companies were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of local companies and re-domiciled companies registered under the Companies Ordinance increased by 96,609 compared to 2024, reaching 1,557,103, which was an all-time high figure.

In 2025, 1,532 non-Hong Kong companies that had newly established a place of business in Hong Kong were registered under the Companies Ordinance. By the end of 2025, the total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies was 15,586, up 3 per cent compared to 2024.

The company re-domiciliation regime, implemented since May 23, 2025, has received a positive market response. By the end of 2025, the Registry had received over 420 enquiries and 30 applications. Among these, six non-Hong Kong corporations incorporated in Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, including an insurance company, have been successfully re-domiciled to Hong Kong. The regime provides a simple and cost-effective pathway for non-Hong Kong incorporated companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong by eliminating the need for complicated and costly judicial procedures while preserving a company's legal identity. It ensures seamless business continuity and strengthens the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a global business and financial hub.

In 2025, the number of charges on properties of companies received for registration was 12,912, which was 6.4 per cent up from 12,137 in 2024. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration increased by 14.2 per cent, from 18,201 in 2024 to 20,789 in 2025.

In 2025, a total of 180 prospectuses were registered while the figure recorded in 2024 was 157.

In 2025, the total number of documents delivered for registration increased by 7 per cent to 3,360,723, compared to 3,139,906 in 2024.

In 2025, a total of 5,229,202 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services, an increase of 0.7 per cent from 5,194,865 in 2024.

On the registration of limited partnership funds (LPFs), a total of 389 LPFs were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of LPFs increased by 35.1 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 1,347.

For open-ended fund companies (OFCs), 210 OFCs were newly incorporated in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of OFCs increased by 43.2 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 676.

As regards the licensing of trust or company service providers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance, a total of 760 new licences were granted by the Registry in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensees was 7,220.

Turning to the licensing of money lenders, 155 new licences were granted by the Licensing Court in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensed money lenders was 2,015.

For details of the statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images