Unemployment edges up as graduates enter job market

The unemployment rate rose slightly in May–July 2025, reaching 2.0% overall and 2.6% for local residents, driven by an influx of recent graduates entering the labor market.

The general unemployment rate rose to 2.0%, while the rate for local residents edged up to 2.6%, up 0.1 percentage point from April–June 2025.

The increase was largely attributed to new labor market entrants seeking their first jobs during graduation season.

Among unemployed local residents (7,600), the share of first-time job seekers rose 2.7 percentage points to 13.7%.

Many had previously worked in Construction, Retail Trade, and the Gaming sector. The general underemployment rate reached 1.7%, with local residents at 2.1%, both up 0.1 percentage point. Of the 6,100 underemployed residents, most were employed in Construction and Real Estate & Business Activities.

The Employment Survey covers residential units across the Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane, excluding dormitories and elderly care homes.

Both residents and non-resident workers living outside Macau but employed in the territory are included in labour force estimates.

Preliminary figures indicate that about 107,900 non-resident workers were employed in Macau, while the total labour force, including local residents, increased slightly to 487,000. LV