Local jobless rate holds at 2.5%

The labor market remained stable in the February to April 2025 period, with unemployment rates holding steady despite subtle shifts across key industries.

According to the latest data released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), the general unemployment rate stayed at 1.9%, consistent with the January–March period. Among local residents, the unemployment rate also held steady at 2.5%.

Government data show that the labor force residing in Macau grew slightly to 380,600, an increase of 1,500 people (+0.4%).

Total employment increased by 1,400 to 373,200 (+0.4%), while the number of employed local residents rose by 1,700 to 281,900 (+0.6%).

Employment among residents increased in real estate, business activities, wholesale, and retail trade, while the gaming sector saw a decline. The number of unemployed residents for this period was 7,400 — many previously employed in gaming, construction, and retail sectors are now seeking new opportunities.

The share of unemployed residents entering the labor market for the first time remained at 10.2%.

Underemployment rates also rose slightly. General underemployment increased 0.2 percentage points to 1.4%, and local resident underemployment rose by the same margin to 1.8%.

The number of underemployed residents grew by 700 to 5,200, mainly in construction and retail.

Employment survey estimates based on movement records show that about 106,300 residents and nonresident workers worked in Macau but lived outside the territory during the reference period. Including these individuals, the total labor force reached approximately 486,800 (+2,400 from the previous period).