Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the general unemployment rate (2.9%) and the unemployment rate of local residents (3.9%) for December 2020-February 2021 increased by 0.2 percentage points from the previous period (November 2020-January 2021). In addition, the underemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.5%.

The labour force living in Macao totalled 398,400 and the labour force participation rate was 70.2%. Total employment was 386,900 and the number of employed residents totalled 282,600, down by 2,300 and 1,500 respectively from the previous period. Analysed by industry, employment in Hotels & Similar Activities decreased, while that in Gaming & Junket Activities increased.

Number of the unemployed increased by 600 from the previous period to 11,500. Among the unemployed searching for a new job, most of them were previously engaged in Gaming & Junket Activities and in the Construction sector. Meanwhile, the proportion of new labour market entrants seeking their first job decreased by 2.0 percentage points to 8.2% of the total unemployed.

Number of the underemployed rose by 400 from the previous period to 18,100, with the majority working in Gaming & Junket Activities and in the Transport & Storage sector.

In comparison with December 2019-February 2020, the underemployment rate and the unemployment rate increased by 3.7 and 1.0 percentage points respectively, while the labour force participation rate dropped by 0.3 percentage points.

The Employment Survey covers all residential units in the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane, excluding collective living quarters such as dormitories and care homes for the elderly. Individuals living in these units are included in the survey, and therefore Macao residents and non-resident workers who work in Macao but live outside the territory are excluded. Based on the movement records, Macao residents and non-resident workers who worked in Macao but lived outside the territory were estimated at 83,600; when including these individuals, total labour force was 482,000, a decrease of 1,100 from the previous period.