The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in May showed a drop of 434 cases, representing a decrease of 0.2 per cent compared with that of April, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (June 20).
          
     The total CSSA caseload at the end of May stood at 198 406 (see attached table), with a total of 270 371 recipients.
      
     Analysed by case nature, unemployment cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 0.9 per cent to 16 730 cases. Single parent cases and low-earnings cases decreased by 0.4 per cent to 20 076 cases and 1 507 cases respectively. Permanent disability cases dropped by 0.3 per cent to 17 029 cases. Old age cases declined by 0.2 per cent to 111 185 cases.
      
     Ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.4 per cent to 27 978 cases.

     The Home Affairs Department is opening 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (June 20).
 
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for March – May 2024) released today (June 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.0% in March – May 2024, same as that in February – April 2024. The underemployment rate increased from 1.1% in February – April 2024 to 1.2% in March – May 2024.
 
     Comparing March – May 2024 with February – April 2024, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large. As to the underemployment rate, increases were mainly seen in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; cleaning and similar activities sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
 
     Total employment increased by around 2 800 from 3 694 100 in February – April 2024 to 3 696 900 in March – May 2024. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 300 from 3 807 800 to 3 813 100.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 2 500 from 113 700 in February – April 2024 to 116 200 in March – May 2024. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also increased by around 4 200 from 40 500 to 44 700.
       
Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.0% in March – May 2024, same as February – April 2024. The underemployment rate was also low at 1.2%, though 0.1 percentage point higher than the preceding three-month period. The labour force and total employment increased further, by 5 300 and 2 800 to 3 813 100 and 3 696 900 respectively. The number of unemployed persons increased slightly by 2 500 to 116 200, but it was still a low level."
 
     The unemployment rates of the various sectors in March – May 2024 remained low in general, though showing diverse movements compared with the preceding three-month period.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "The labour market should stay tight in the near term alongside the continued economic growth."
 
     In March – May 2024, the Labour Department (LD) recorded a monthly average of 77 692 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year decrease of 26.7% and an increase of 3.0% over the average figure in February – April 2024.
 
     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will organise the Leap into a New Page Job Fair at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on June 27 and 28, 2024. About 60 employers will participate, offering a large number of vacancies. Job-seekers may also make use of the LD's Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining more information on available vacancies.
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
 
     The survey for March – May 2024 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 69 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of March to May 2024.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2024 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2024 will be available by end August 2024. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).
 

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 20) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the first quarter of 2024.
 
     GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production in respect of individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by value added or net output, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures net of the effect of price changes, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms.
 
     According to the preliminary figures, overall GDP increased by 2.7% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the 4.3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Analysed by constituent services sector and on a year-on-year comparison, value added in respect of all the services activities taken together increased by 3.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the 5.3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector increased by 1.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the accommodation and food services sector rose by 1.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, after the growth of 14.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector increased by 19.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 31.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the information and communications sector increased by 2.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the rise of 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the financing and insurance sector decreased by 0.8% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 from a year earlier, compared with the decrease of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the real estate, professional and business services sector registered a growth of 1.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the rise of 2.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the public administration, social and personal services sector rose by 3.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     As for sectors other than the services sectors, value added in the local manufacturing sector rose by 1.8% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 4.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector increased by 4.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
     Value added in the construction sector increased by 9.6% in real terms in the first quarter of 2024 over a year earlier, compared with the 3.8% increase in the fourth quarter of 2023.
 
Further information
 
     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP by economic activity in real terms from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 are shown in Table 1. More detailed statistics are given in the report "Gross Domestic Product by Economic Activity". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030004&scode=250). For enquiries about statistics on GDP by economic activity, please call the National Income Branch (2) of the C&SD at 3903 7005.
 
     Figures of chain volume measures of GDP by economic activity for the first quarter of 2024 are only preliminary at this stage. When more data become available, the preliminary figures will be revised accordingly and can be found at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html).

     According to the figures released today (June 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total employment in the private sector surveyed increased by 0.3% or 9 100 persons in March 2024 compared with a year earlier. The total number of vacancies was 75 180, representing a decrease of 3% or 2 570 over the preceding year.
 
Employment statistics

     In March 2024, the selected industries as a whole employed 2 728 900 persons. The import and export trade engaged 359 600 persons, followed by professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services) engaging 313 000 persons, retail trade 241 900 persons, financing and insurance 229 400 persons, and food and beverage services 225 200 persons.
 
     Employment increased in many surveyed industries when compared with a year earlier. Increases were mainly observed in the industries of construction sites (manual workers only) (14.1% or 15 200 persons), residential care and social work services (4.5% or 3 100 persons), arts, entertainment, recreation and other services (3.6% or 4 400 persons), and human health services (2.4% or 3 700 persons). On the other hand, employment decreased mainly in the industries of wholesale (-6.4% or -3 300 persons), and import and export trade (-4.9% or -18 500 persons). Employment figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 1.
 
Vacancies statistics

     Among the 75 180 private sector vacancies in March 2024, 8 820 were from the industry of transportation, storage, postal and courier services; 7 320 from education; 6 720 from professional and business services (excluding cleaning and similar services); 6 380 from human health services; and 5 930 from food and beverage services.
 
     Vacancies decreased in many selected industries in March 2024 over a year earlier. Decreases were mainly observed in the industries of retail trade (-1 690 or -26%), financing and insurance (-1 360 or -22%), accommodation services (-730 or -26%), and education (-670 or -8%). On the other hand, vacancies increased mainly in the industries of construction sites (manual workers only) (1 430 or 221%), and transportation, storage, postal and courier services (1 380 or 19%). Job vacancies figures for selected major industries are shown in Table 2.
 
     Analysed by major occupation category, private sector vacancies were observed mainly in the categories of service and sales workers (28 040 vacancies), professionals (13 130 vacancies), and associate professionals (10 770 vacancies). Job vacancies figures by major occupation category are shown in Table 3.
 
Seasonally adjusted statistics

     For discerning the latest trend in employment and vacancies in the private sector, it is useful to look at changes over a three-month period in the respective seasonally adjusted figures. Compared with December 2023, the seasonally adjusted total employment and total vacancies in the surveyed industries increased by 0.5% and 2.4% respectively in March 2024. The changes over three-month periods in the seasonally adjusted series of employment and vacancies are shown in Table 4.
 
Other information

     The above employment and vacancies statistics were obtained from the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the Quarterly Employment Survey of Construction Sites conducted by the C&SD. In the former survey, some economic activities (e.g. those dominated by self-employment, including taxi operators and hawkers) are not covered. Therefore, the respective employment and vacancies figures relate only to those selected industries included in the survey. In the latter survey on construction sites, employment and vacancies figures relate to manual workers only.
 
     A detailed breakdown of the above statistics is published in the following reports:
"Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics, March 2024"
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050003&scode=452)
"Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies at Construction Sites, March 2024"
(www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050004&scode=452)
 
     Users can browse and download these publications at the website of the C&SD.
 
     Enquiries on more detailed employment and vacancies statistics can be directed to the Employment Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5076 or email: employment@censtatd.gov.hk).