Unemployment and Underemployment Statistics for December 2000 to February 2001

According to the latest labour force statistics released today by the Census and Statistics Department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December 2000 - February 2001, at 4.5% (provisional), was higher than that in November 2000 - January 2001, at 4.3%. On the other hand, the underemployment rate in December 2000 - February 2001, at 2.5% (provisional), was lower than that of 2.7% in November 2000 - January 2001.Comparing December 2000 - February 2001 with November 2000 - January 2001, increases in unemployment rate were seen mainly in the construction, wholesale and retail trades, restaurants and transport sectors, more than offsetting the decrease seen in communications. As to the underemployment rate, decreases occurred largely in the construction sector and to a lesser extent, also in the restaurants sector.The size of the total labour force grew slightly from 3 421 300 in November 2000 - January 2001 to 3 426 000 (provisional) in December 2000 - February 2001. The number of employed persons remained broadly stable in both periods, at 3 277 000 (provisional) in December 2000 - February 2001 as against 3 277 400 in November 2000 - January 2001. The number of unemployed persons increased from 144 000 in November 2000 - January 2001 to 149 000 (provisional) in December 2000 - February 2001, while the number of underemployed persons dropped from 91 700 to 84 000 (provisional).  

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