Hong Kong’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.9 per cent between November and January, according to the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

The jobless rate returned to 3.9 per cent in the latest three-month period after remaining at 3.8 per cent in the previous three C&SD reports, which covered the period between August and December.

The last time the unemployment rate stood at 3.9 per cent was between July and September last year.

Hong Kong measures unemployment on a moving three-month basis, adjusted for seasonal influences.

The underemployment rate remained at 1.7 per cent between November and January.

Industry-specific unemployment rates varied, according to the C&SD. The insurance, finance, and construction sectors saw increases, while the transportation and cleaning sectors recorded decreases.

“The sustained growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should help buttress the overall labour market,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a statement.

“Nonetheless, the employment situations in some sectors may continue to be under pressure amid their challenging operating environments.”

Total employment decreased by around 1,100 to 3,665,900 in the latest period, while the number of unemployed people stood at 138,400 – largely unchanged from the previous period.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said last month that Hong Kong logged a 3.2 per cent economic growth in 2025, up from 2.5 per cent in 2024.

While local consumption remained weak, Chan said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the economy this year.

The finance chief is set to deliver his annual budget speech next Wednesday.