Hong Kong's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3 percent in the three-month period ending in August.

According to official data released on Thursday, the underemployment rate also remained unchanged from the May to July period, at 1.2 percent.

The government said that while unemployment had risen in the food and beverage and accommodation sectors, this was offset by new hiring in the insurance, trading, wholesale and transportation industries.

"The overall labour market should remain tight in the near term alongside the continued economic growth, though the employment situation in some sectors may be under pressure as their businesses continue to face challenges," Labour Secretary Chris Sun said in a statement.