Results of the Employment Survey for March – May 2006

According to the results of the Employment Survey released by the Statistics and Census Service, unemployment rate for March - May 2006 dropped slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period (February - April 2006) to 3.8%, and decreased by 0.3 percentage point over the same period of 2005. The underemployment rate was up slightly by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period to 1.3%, but remained at the same level as recorded in the same period of 2005. Number of the unemployed searching for their first job was about 800, representing 7.7% of the total unemployed population, up by 1.0 percentage point over the preceding period. Compared with the preceding period, the unemployment situation was improved in Recreational, cultural, gaming & other service activities; Real estate, renting & business activities; and Hotels, restaurants & similar activities, while it was less favourable in the Manufacturing sector. Total labour force was estimated at 271,000 in March - May 2006; the employed and the unemployed populations were 261,000 and 10,000 respectively. Labour force participation rate was 65.0%, up by 0.4 and 2.7 percentage points respectively over the preceding period and the same period of 2005.