Unemployment slightly up 1H, median salary drops

Unemployment in Macau rose slightly in the first half (1H) of the year, while median monthly earnings saw a modest decline, according to data released by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC).

The general unemployment rate climbed to 1.9%, up 0.2 percentage points from the end of 2024, while the jobless rate among local residents rose to 2.5%.

Labor force participation also slipped, and the total number of employed persons dropped by 5,600.

Data shows that the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points in 1H.

Both the general unemployment rate (1.9%) and the unemployment rate of residents (2.5%) increased by 0.2 percentage points compared with the end of 2024.

The increase in the unemployment rate directly impacted labor force participation, which dropped by 1.1% overall and by 0.8% for residents.

Overall, the number of employed people decreased from 378,300 at the end of 2024 to 372,700 at the end of June 2025 (a decrease of 5,600).

Of those 5,600, 4,400 were local residents, shrinking the number of locally employed people to 281,600.

Wages also declined, with median monthly earnings dropping from MOP18,000 to MOP17,800 overall, and from MOP20,500 to MOP20,000 for residents.

Among the most significant changes in working sectors, it is worth noting the increase in the percentage of employed residents working in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services (26.9%), an increase of 4.8 percentage points compared to the end of last year.

On the other hand, the number of those working in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities (9.7%) has shrunk by 4 percentage points.

Another decline was recorded in the Construction sector (5.5%), which saw a 1.1-point reduction in the past six months, while more people (+1.4 points) have engaged in the Transport, Storage & Communications industry (6.8%).

Despite some reduction (-1,400), the Gaming Industry continued to lead as the major employer, totaling 70,200 workers at the end of 1H. Wholesale & Retail Trade followed with 45,200, a significant increase (+4,000) from the end of 2024.

Hotels & Similar Activities also continued to occupy the third position among the industries employing the most people in Macau, despite a reduction of 1,300 job posts in the past six months.

Slight recovery

in some sectors

A comparison between the first quarter (Q1) and the second quarter (Q2) made by the DSEC shows that, compared with Q1, total employment (372,700) and employed residents (281,600) increased by 900 and 1,400, respectively.

Employed residents in the Transport & Storage sector (17,300) and the Construction sector (15,500) rose by 1,600 and 1,500, respectively, while those in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities (27,200) fell by 1,000.

Meanwhile, median monthly employment earnings decreased by MOP1,000 to MOP17,800 overall, and by MOP1,500 to MOP20,000 for employed residents in Q2.

According to DSEC, this wage drop was mainly related to a relatively high comparison base due to the disbursement of bonuses in some industries in Q1. When excluding double-pay and bonuses, median monthly employment earnings of full-time resident employees (working 35 hours or more per week) held steady quarter-on-quarter (QOQ) at MOP21,000.

The Employment Survey covers all residential units in the Macau 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.

Based on initial data from movement records, approximately 106,700 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 (486,700) rises by 200 compared to the previous period.

Task force pushes for local hiring in public projects

The employment promotion coordination working group held its third meeting yesterday to review progress, including a July policy requiring public works and services contracts to prioritize local hiring.

Task force head and Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, urged departments to establish mechanisms for evaluation, monitoring, and penalties to ensure contractors honor their commitments.

The meeting also covered job-matching efforts and recent vacancy data across sectors.

Tai called for continued coordination to expand opportunities and help residents re-enter the workforce.