Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the general unemployment rate (3.0%) and the unemployment rate of local residents (4.1%) for March-May 2021 held steady from the previous period (February-April 2021). Meanwhile, the underemployment rate dropped by 0.6 percentage points to 4.2%.
The labour force living in Macao totalled 390,600 and the labour force participation rate was 68.9%. Total employment was 378,700 and the number of employed residents totalled 278,600, down by 3,800 and 3,000 respectively from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in Gaming & Junket Activities and the Construction sector decreased, while that in Restaurants & Similar Activities increased.
Number of the unemployed decreased by 100 from the previous period to 11,900. Among the unemployed searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in Gaming & Junket Activities and in the Construction sector. Meanwhile, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job increased by 0.9 percentage points to 6.5% of the total unemployed.
Number of the underemployed fell by 2,600 from the previous period to 16,300, with the majority working in Gaming & Junket Activities and in the Construction sector.
In comparison with March-May 2020, the underemployment rate and the unemployment rate increased by 1.6 and 0.6 percentage points respectively, while the labour force participation rate dropped by 1.6 percentage points.
The Employment Survey covers all residential units in the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane, excluding collective living quarters such as dormitories and care homes for the elderly. Individuals living in these units are included in the survey, and therefore Macao residents and non-resident workers who work in Macao but live outside the territory are excluded. Based on the movement records, Macao residents and non-resident workers who worked in Macao but lived outside the territory were estimated at 83,500; when including these individuals, total labour force was 474,200, a decrease of 4,300 from the previous period.