Macao recorded 9,300 unemployed residents in the first quarter, a decrease of 900 over the previous quarter, according to official statistics issued Monday.

The figures released by the government-run Statistics and Census Service showed that the total labor force was estimated at 293,000 in the period.

The majority of the employed population was engaged in the sectors of recreational, cultural, gaming and other services (21.6 percent), wholesale and retail trade (13.4 percent), construction (12.7 percent), and hotels, restaurants and similar activities (10.7 percent).

The region has a population of 500,000.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2007)