Macao’s general and local unemployment rates remained unchanged in the March to May period, coming in at 1.9 and 2.5 percent respectively. The former figure is an overall indicator while the latter rate excludes migrant workers.
The figures were the same as both the January to March and February to April rolling periods, according to the Statistics and Census Service (known by its Portuguese initials DSEC). It was also the same as the corresponding three months in 2024.
The number of unemployed residents was 7,200. Most jobseekers in this category were previously engaged in the gaming, construction and retail trade sectors. The proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job among unemployed residents decreased by 1.8 percentage points to 8.4 percent.
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The labour force living in Macao (380,200) and total employed (373,000) decreased by 400 and 200 respectively from the previous period, with the number of employed residents (282,200) rising by 300. Analysed by industry, employed residents in real estate and business activities, and the wholesale and retail trade, saw increases. Those in the gambling sector decreased.
Meanwhile, the general and local underemployment rates increased slightly from the previous period, standing at 1.6 and 2.1 percent respectively. Most underemployed residents (6,000, or an increase of 800) were working in the construction sector and real estate and business activities, the DSEC said.
Compared with the last rolling period, the labour force participation rate of local residents dropped by 0.7 percentage points to 61.3 percent. Both the unemployment and underemployment rates of local residents remained constant year-on-year.
