23-7  Labour Force and Unemployment
Item	2004*	2005*	2006*	2007*	2008
Labour Force     (10 000 persons)	351.3	353.4	357.2	363.0	364.9
Male	195.3	195.0	195.1	195.8	194.9
Female	156.0	158.4	162.1	167.1	169.9
Labour Force Participation Rate   (%)	61.3	60.9	61.2	61.2	60.9
Employed Persons     (10 000 persons)	327.4	333.7	340.1	348.4	351.9
Unemployed Persons (10 000 persons)	23.9	19.8	17.1	14.6	13.0
Unemployment Rate                     (%)	6.8	5.6	4.8	4.0	3.6
Note: Figures are compiled based on data collected in the General Household Survey from January to December of the year concerned
as well as the mid-year population estimates by District Council district compiled jointly by the Census and Statistics Department
and an inter-departmental Working Group on Population Distribution Projections.