This study explored unknown suicide-related factors among the unemployed in Hong Kong. 76 individuals who died by suicide & 15 subjects who were unemployed were selected from a previous psychological autopsy study. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the relative suicide risk among the unemployed people. Among the unemployed, those who died by suicide were more likely to be male, had suffered from psychiatric illness, & had attempted suicide before. They also had acquired less competent social problem solving skills. Suicide prevention strategies for the unemployed are discussed. (26 refs.)