Unemployment rate falls slightly to 2.1% in Q1

The city’s unemployment rate for local residents stood at 2.1% in January–March 2026, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous rolling period, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.1%.

The number of unemployed residents totaled 6,000, with most previously employed in retail trade and the gaming sector. New labour market entrants accounted for a smaller share, falling 2.9 percentage points to 6.3% of the unemployed population.

Among the 6,200 underemployed residents, most were engaged in business activities and transport and storage. The general unemployment rate declined to 1.6%, while the general underemployment rate remained at 1.6%.

Median monthly employment earnings stood at MOP22,000 for employed residents and MOP18,300 for the overall employed population during the quarter.

Preliminary estimates showed about 109,900 non-resident workers and Macau residents commuting from outside the city worked locally during the period. Combined with the 383,000 labour force residing in Macau, the total labour force fell by 3,700 from the previous period to 492,900.

The Employment Survey follows International Labour Organization standards and covers residential units across the Macau Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane, excluding collective accommodation such as dormitories and care homes. Residents working in Macau but living outside the territory are also excluded from the survey population.