Unemployment sees nearly 10% increase over three-month period

Official statistics from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) show that the number of unemployed people in Macau has significantly grown over the last three months.

According to the latest release, which covers the three months between December 2024 and February 2025, the number of unemployed people had increased by 600 to 6,800 by the end of February, representing a 9.68% growth compared to the previous three-month period (November 2024 – January 2025).

DSEC explained that most unemployed people seeking new jobs were previously engaged in “restaurants and similar activities” and “retail trade.” The same authority also noted that the proportion of new labor market entrants seeking their first job increased by 1.9% to 12.7% of the total unemployed.

This factor contributed to a 0.2% rise in the unemployment rate. The general unemployment rate is now 1.8%, while the unemployment rate for local residents is 2.3%.

The DSEC noted that, concurrently, the general underemployment rate dropped further by 0.2% to 1.1%. It is believed that some of those contributing to the growth of the unemployment rate were individuals in a situation of underemployment, namely in the hospitality industry, which reportedly dismissed a significant number of part-time workers in the past two to three months.

DSEC stated that the labor force living in Macau (381,700) and total employment (374,900) decreased by 800 and 1,400, respectively, from the previous period. The number of employed residents (283,700) fell by 1,300. The gaming and construction sectors were accountable for the more significant drops, while the retail trade sector showed growth.

The number of underemployed (4,200) dropped further by 800 from the previous period, with a notable decline in the number of those engaged in Real Estate & Business Activities.

Compared year-on-year during the same period, the general labor force participation rate (67.1%), the general unemployment rate (1.8%), and the general underemployment rate (1.1%) decreased by 0.6, 0.4, and 0.2%, respectively.

The Employment Survey covers all residential units in the Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane, excluding collective living quarters such as dormitories and care homes for the elderly. It also excludes Macau residents and non-resident workers who work in Macau but live outside the territory.

According to preliminary estimates from the movement records, about 105,400 local residents and non-resident workers worked in Macau but lived outside the territory during the reference period. When these individuals are included in the survey results, the total labor force (487,100) decreases by 400 from the previous period.