Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the general unemployment rate for May-July 2020 was 2.7% and the unemployment rate of local residents was 3.8%, up by 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points respectively from the previous period (April-June 2020). On the other hand, the underemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point to 3.3%.

Total labour force was 406,500 and the labour force participation rate was 70.5%. Total employment decreased by 6,500 from the previous period to 395,400, on account of a drop in number of non-resident workers living in Macao. Number of employed residents totalled 277,700, down by 1,600. Analysed by industry, number of employed residents in Gaming & Junket Activities and Retail Trade decreased, while that in the Construction sector increased.

Number of the unemployed was 11,100, up by 1,000 from the previous period. With fresh graduates entering the labour market, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job increased by 3.7 percentage points to 9.2% of the total unemployed. Among the unemployed population searching for a new job, number of those previously working in the Gaming & Junket Activities showed relatively large growth.

Number of the underemployed decreased by 400 to 13,500, with the majority working in Gaming & Junket Activities, the Construction sector and Hotels & Similar Activities.

In comparison with May-July 2019, the underemployment rate, the unemployment rate and the labour force participation rate rose by 2.8, 0.9 and 0.2 percentage points respectively.