Hong Kong SAR (China) - Labor Force





Hong Kong SAR (China): Labor Force

Mnemonic LBF.IHKG
Unit Ths. # 3-mo MA, NSA
Adjustments Not Seasonally Adjusted
Monthly 0.07 %
Data Feb 2024 3,797
Jan 2024 3,799

Series Information

Source Census and Statistics Department Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG)
Release Employment Situation - Monthly
Frequency Monthly
Start Date 10/31/1981
End Date 2/29/2024

Hong Kong SAR (China): Labor

Reference Last Previous Units Frequency
Labor Force Feb 2024 3,797 3,799 Ths. # 3-mo MA, NSA Monthly
Labor Force Employment Feb 2024 3,694 3,697 Ths. # 3-mo MA, NSA Monthly
Unemployment Feb 2024 102.3 102.6 Ths. # 3-mo MA, NSA Monthly
Unemployment Rate Feb 2024 2.9 2.9 % 3-mo. MA, SA Monthly
Real Wages & Salaries 2023 Q3 122.3 121.2 Index 1999Q1=100, NSA Quarterly
Wage & Salaries 2023 Q3 171.4 169.6 Index 1999Q1=100, NSA Quarterly

Release Information

For Hong Kong SAR (China): labor force status by sex, employment ("engaged persons") by industry, and job vacancies by industry. Monthly and quarterly.

Active:

  • Industry classification: HSIC 2.0, which adapts UN ISIC Rev. 4
  • Measurement:
    • Thousands of persons (Ths. #)
    • Percentage (%)
  • Adjustment: Not seasonally adjusted (NSA) 
  • Cumulation: Three-month moving average (3-mo. MA)
  • Native frequencies:
    • Monthly
    • Quarterly
  • Start dates:
    • Monthly: As early as 1981m10
    • Quarterly: As early as 1980Q2

Predecessor:

  • HSIC 1.0 - 1980Q2 to 2008Q4 ("08")

Survey: Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies

Labour force statistics are compiled in accordance with the conceptual framework recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

All industries and occupations are covered for the whole territory of Hong Kong (excluding marine regions). All land-based non-institutional population of Hong Kong, excluding inmates of institutions and persons living on board vessels, are covered.

The labor force is defined as persons of 15 years and over.

The employed population comprises all those persons aged 15 and over who have been at work (for at least one hour) for pay/profit or have had formal job attachment (i.e., that the person has continued receipt of wage or salary; or has an assurance or an agreed date of return to job or business; or is in receipt of compensation without obligation to accept another job) during the seven days before enumeration. Unpaid family workers are also included.

Branch of economic activity (industry): data are coded to the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC). HSIC 2.0 is an adaptation of UN ISIC Rev. 4.

Occupation: classification of occupations is based on the Occupation Index of Hong Kong Population Census (2001).

Moody's Analytics supplements

We compute seasonally adjusted counterparts for the LFS quartet and employment by industry, using the X-13ARIMA-SEATS program. We update factors annually.

The labor force statistics are revised subject to routine revisions of the population estimates.

Individual industry branches are subject to intermittent suppression to maintain confidentiality at the stablishment level.

  • Sep 2005 - Initial version.
  • Dec 2009 - Reclassified to HSIC 2.0.
  • Aug 2012 - Created SA supplements.
  • Feb 2019 - Added job vacanices by industry.
  • 25 Aug 2023, Phillip Thorne - Revived two employment branches.