Median income rises

For recreational, cultural, gaming and other services that accounted for the majority of the employed, the median income stood at MOP 12,000

The median income of the employed population was reported at MOP 9,000 in the third quarter of this year, up MOP 500 compared to the preceding quarter, the official data showed.
In addition, according to the Census and Statistics Bureau, the median monthly employment earnings of local residents held stable for nine consecutive quarters at MOP 10,000.
For recreational, cultural, gaming and other services that accounted for the majority of the employed, the median income stood at MOP 12,000. Of which, that of the gaming industry in particular was reported at MOP 13,000.
Meanwhile, the bureau revealed that the total labour force was 329,600 in the third quarter of 2010, up by 3,300 over the preceding quarter. Of which, 9,400 were unemployed, an increase of 100.
Median age of the employed population was 40.2, with male and female accounting for 50.6 percent and 49.4 percent respectively.
Recreational, cultural, gaming and other services made up 24.3 percent of the employed population, followed by wholesale and retail trade at 13.4 percent, and hotels, restaurants and similar activities at 13.1 percent.
In terms of occupation, 26.7 percent were clerks – including casino dealers, floorpersons and betting service operators – 21.9 percent were service and sales workers and 20 percent were unskilled workers.
Of the 9,400 unemployed population in the reporting period, 81 percent had worked previously – mostly in the construction or wholesale and retail trade industry – and were searching for a new job, while the remaining 19 percent were fresh labour force entrants.
It has also been found that a large part of the unemployed at nearly 31 percent had only completed primary education or lower and 27 percent had junior secondary education.
The unemployment rate of the total labour force stood at 2.9 percent, but that of local residents was indicated at 3.5 percent.
The underemployed population totalled 5,400, representing an underemployment rate of 1.6 percent.
It was reported that almost 67 percent of them were engaging in construction, while 40 percent were unskilled workers.