Macao saw a 3.9-percent unemployment rate between November and January, a record low, according to official statistics released on Tuesday.

The figures from the Statistics and Census Service showed that the number of jobless residents seeking their first job was around 900, or 8.7 percent of the total unemployed population, between November and January.

Local analysts attributed the low jobless rate to the opening of two new casinos during the period.

Macao's total labor force was estimated at 260,000 during the period, the figures showed.

The special administrative region has a population of over 480,000.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)