(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-21 09:57

HONG KONG-- Hong Kong's jobless rate fell 0.1 percentage point from April-June to 4.1 percent in May-July, the lowest level since mid-1998, official figures released on Monday indicated.

Falls in the unemployment rate were mainly observed in the decoration and maintenance ,and transport sectors, whereas rises were mainly found in the amusement and recreational services, and real estate sectors, said the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

Total employment rose by 9,000 people to an all-time high of 3.49 million in May-July. Total labor supply expanded by 11,200 to a new high of 3.65 million, owing to an increased number of first-time jobseekers, comprising mainly fresh graduates and school leavers entering the labor market, said the department.