Unemployment Rate: Hong Kong
Hong Kong's unemployment rate is currently 3.3% as of 2026. # Hong Kong Unemployment Rate Hong Kong's unemployment rate stands at 3.
Current (2026)
3.3%
-2.9% y/y
Peak (2003)
7.9%
Low (1989)
1.1%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Hong Kong
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Hong Kong
Analysis# Hong Kong Unemployment Rate
Hong Kong's unemployment rate stands at 3.3% in 2026, reflecting a stable labor market near historical lows. The metric has declined 13.2 percentage points since 1980, when it measured 16.5%. While the current rate remains well below the 7.9% peak reached in 2003 during the post-SARS economic downturn, it sits notably above the 1.1% all-time low recorded in 1989 at the height of the pre-handover boom.
The most significant turning point occurred between 2019 and 2020, when unemployment spiked from 2.9% to 5.5% due to pandemic disruptions. Recovery proved gradual, with rates declining from 5.4% in 2021 through 4.4% in 2022 before stabilizing around 3% from 2023 onward. Current projections suggest Hong Kong's unemployment will remain in the 3-3.5% range, indicating a normalized labor market with sustained economic stability.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2.8% | -3.45% |
| 2029 | 2.9% | -3.33% |
| 2028 | 3.0% | -6.25% |
| 2027 | 3.2% | -3.03% |
| 2026 | 3.3% | -2.94% |
| 2025 | 3.4% | +13.33% |
| 2024 | 3.0% | +0.00% |
| 2023 | 3.0% | -31.82% |
| 2022 | 4.4% | -18.52% |
| 2021 | 5.4% | -1.82% |
| 2020 | 5.5% | +89.66% |
| 2019 | 2.9% | +3.57% |
| 2018 | 2.8% | -12.50% |
| 2017 | 3.2% | -5.88% |
| 2016 | 3.4% | +3.03% |
| 2015 | 3.3% | +3.12% |
| 2014 | 3.2% | -5.88% |
| 2013 | 3.4% | +3.03% |
| 2012 | 3.3% | -5.71% |
| 2011 | 3.5% | -20.45% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4.4% | -15.38% |
| 2009 | 5.2% | +52.94% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | -17.07% |
| 2007 | 4.1% | -14.58% |
| 2006 | 4.8% | -15.79% |
| 2005 | 5.7% | -17.39% |
| 2004 | 6.9% | -12.66% |
| 2003 | 7.9% | +9.72% |
| 2002 | 7.2% | +46.94% |
| 2001 | 4.9% | -3.92% |
| 2000 | 5.1% | -19.05% |
| 1999 | 6.3% | +43.18% |
| 1998 | 4.4% | +100.00% |
| 1997 | 2.2% | -21.43% |
| 1996 | 2.8% | -12.50% |
| 1995 | 3.2% | +68.42% |
| 1994 | 1.9% | -5.00% |
| 1993 | 2.0% | +0.00% |
| 1992 | 2.0% | +11.11% |
| 1991 | 1.8% | +38.46% |
| 1990 | 1.3% | +18.18% |
| 1989 | 1.1% | -21.43% |
| 1988 | 1.4% | -17.65% |
| 1987 | 1.7% | -39.29% |
| 1986 | 2.8% | -12.50% |
| 1985 | 3.2% | -17.95% |
| 1984 | 3.9% | -9.30% |
| 1983 | 4.3% | +22.86% |
| 1982 | 3.5% | -10.26% |
| 1981 | 3.9% | +2.63% |
| 1980 | 3.8% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Hong Kong
Compare Unemployment Rate
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Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.