Hong Kong’s jobless rate increased to 2.9 percent in the three-month period ending in October, up from 2.8 percent in the July-September period, according to official data.

Figures from the Census and Statistics Department also showed that the underemployment rate remained unchanged in the August-October period, at 1 percent.

About 1,800 people were newly unemployed during the three-month period, taking the total number to 115,800, the department said.

Notable increases in unemployment rates were seen in the manufacturing, import and export trade, and wholesale sectors.

Labour secretary Chris Sun said the job market will remain “tight” in the coming months, with some “possible negative effects stemming from the difficult external environment”.

But he also said that inbound tourism and local consumption will spur economic growth.