Tag Archives: China

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (November 3) the advance estimates on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2026.

     According to the advance estimates, GDP increased by 5.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 4.2% in the second quarter.

     Analysed by major GDP component, private consumption expenditure increased by 2.8% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, compared with the increase of 2.9% in the second quarter.

     Government consumption expenditure measured in national accounts terms recorded an increase of 1.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, after remaining virtually unchanged in the second quarter.

     Gross domestic fixed capital formation rose by 7.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, faster than the increase of 3.7% in the second quarter.

     Total exports of goods measured in national accounts terms grew further by 30.4% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, after the growth of 28.9% in the second quarter. Over the same period, imports of goods measured in national accounts terms grew by 29.9% in real terms, compared with the increase of 29.3% in the second quarter.

     Exports of services rose by 4.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 over a year earlier, after the increase of 3.2% in the second quarter. Imports of services increased by 5.6% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026, compared with the increase of 3.1% in the second quarter.

     On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison basis, GDP increased by 1.9% in real terms in the third quarter of 2026 when compared with the second quarter.
 
Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that the Hong Kong economy expanded robustly in the third quarter of 2026, underpinned by accelerating growth in exports and solid domestic demand. According to the advance estimates, real GDP grew further by 5.2% in the third quarter over a year earlier, up from the revised 4.2% growth in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP rose visibly by 1.9%. For the first three quarters of 2026 combined, real GDP grew by 5.1% over a year earlier, the fastest growth for the corresponding period in five years.

     Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s economic outlook remains positive, with incoming data pointing to sustained growth momentum. Robust global artificial intelligence investment should continue to underpin Hong Kong’s merchandise exports. Exports of services should also benefit from sustained growth in inbound tourism, vibrant cross-boundary traffic and active financial market activities.

     Domestically, steady economic expansion, rising employment earnings and a positive business outlook should lend support to consumption and investment.

     Nonetheless, persistent uncertainties in the external environment, particularly the developments surrounding geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and tighter monetary policies by many major central banks, warrant close monitoring.

     The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the third quarter of 2026, as well as the revised GDP forecast for 2026, will be released on November 13, 2026.

Further information

     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP and selected major expenditure components in real terms from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026 are shown in Table 1.

     When more data become available, the C&SD will compile revised figures on GDP. The revised figures on GDP and more detailed statistics for the third quarter of 2026 will be released at the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode250.html) and the Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component report (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1030001&scode=250) on November 13, 2026.

     For enquiries about statistics on GDP by expenditure component, please contact the National Income Branch (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2727 or email: gdp-e@censtatd.gov.hk). read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 3).      The value of total receipts of the restauran… read more

　　The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (November 3).

　　The value of total retail sales in September 2026, provisionally estimated at $33.4 billion, increased by 6.4% compared with the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in August 2026 increased by 5.6% compared with a year earlier. For the first 9 months of 2026 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 8.3% compared with the same period in 2025.

　　Of the total retail sales value in September 2026, online sales accounted for 13.1%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $4.4 billion, increased by 12.0% compared with the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of online retail sales in August 2026 increased by 9.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first 9 months of 2026 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 21.2% compared with the same period in 2025.

　　After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in September 2026 increased by 3.9% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in August 2026 increased by 2.9% compared with a year earlier. For the first 9 months of 2026 taken together, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales increased by 5.9% in volume compared with the same period in 2025.

　　Analysed by broad type of retail outlet in descending order of the provisional estimate of the value of sales and comparing September 2026 with September 2025, the value of sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified increased by 9.7%. This was followed by sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+20.3% in value); other consumer goods not elsewhere classified (+11.5%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+5.3%); medicines and cosmetics (+9.0%); wearing apparel (+11.1%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (+12.4%); furniture and fixtures (+9.0%); and optical shops (+14.6%).

　　On the other hand, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets decreased by 1.0% in September 2026 over a year earlier. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (-4.1% in value); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-0.5%); fuels (-3.1%); motor vehicles and parts (-34.7%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (-3.0%).

　　Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of the value of total retail sales decreased by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter, while the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales decreased by 0.2%.

Commentary

　　A government spokesman said that total retail sales value grew at a faster year-on-year rate of 6.4% in September, marking the 17th consecutive month of expansion. Growth in sales was broad-based across many types of retail outlet, reflecting solid local consumption sentiment in general. A pick-up in visitor arrivals and sales of festive items associated with the earlier arrival of Mid-Autumn Festival this year also contributed to growth in overall sales in the month. Meanwhile, online retail sales value rose further visibly alongside consumers’ growing use of digital channels.

　　Looking ahead, sustained solid economic expansion and growth in labour earnings will bolster local consumption. A series of upcoming mega-events and festive celebrations in various districts, together with continued growth in inbound tourism, will inject additional momentum to the retail sector. The Government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the evolving external headwinds on the local consumption market closely.

Further information

　　Table 1 presents the revised figures on value index and value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for August 2026 as well as the provisional figures for September 2026. The provisional figures on the value of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet as well as the corresponding year-on-year changes for the first 9 months of 2026 taken together are also shown.

　　Table 2 presents the revised figures on value of online retail sales for August 2026 as well as the provisional figures for September 2026. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 9 months of 2026 taken together are also shown.

　　Table 3 presents the revised figures on volume index of retail sales for all retail outlets and by broad type of retail outlet for August 2026 as well as the provisional figures for September 2026. The provisional figures on year-on-year changes for the first 9 months of 2026 taken together are also shown.

　　Table 4 shows the movements of the value and volume of total retail sales in terms of the year-on-year rate of change for a month compared with the same month in the preceding year based on the original series, and in terms of the rate of change for a three-month period compared with the preceding three-month period based on the seasonally adjusted series.

　　The classification of retail companies follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

　　These retail sales statistics measure the sales receipts in respect of goods sold by local retail companies and are primarily intended for gauging the short-term business performance of the local retail sector. Data on retail sales are collected from local retail companies through the Monthly Survey of Retail Sales (MRS). Local retail companies with and without physical shops are covered in MRS and their sales, both through conventional shops and online channels, are included in the retail sales statistics.

　　The retail sales statistics cover consumer spending on goods but not on services (such as those on housing, catering, medical care and health services, transport and communication, financial services, education and entertainment) which account for over 50% of the overall consumer spending. Moreover, they include spending on goods in Hong Kong by visitors but exclude spending outside Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents. Hence they should not be regarded as indicators for measuring overall consumer spending.

　　Users interested in the trend of overall consumer spending should refer to the data series of private consumption expenditure (PCE), which is a major component of the Gross Domestic Product published at quarterly intervals. Compiled from a wide range of data sources, PCE covers consumer spending on both goods (including goods purchased from all channels) and services by Hong Kong residents whether locally or abroad. Please refer to the C&SD publication “Gross Domestic Product by Expenditure Component” for more details.

　　More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey of Retail Sales”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080003&scode=530).

　　​Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7400; email: mrs@censtatd.gov.hk).  read more

     The District Court today (November 3) sentenced Yuen Long District Council (DC) Member Sei Chun-hing to 2.5 years of imprisonment for his conviction of intercourse with a girl under 16. The District Councils Ordinance (Cap. 547) (the Ordinance) provides that if a DC member is convicted of an offence for which the member has been sentenced to imprisonment, whether suspended or not, for a term exceeding three months without the option of a fine, the member is disqualified from holding office. As both the prosecution and defence could still lodge an appeal for the case, the Government will closely monitor the developments of the judicial proceedings. Meanwhile, Mr Sei’s DC member remuneration package has been suspended since his conviction on September 14.

     The Government places great importance on the conduct and integrity of DC members. In accordance with the Ordinance and the performance monitoring system of DC members, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs has appointed a supervisory committee to conduct an investigation. The supervisory committee will suitably follow up with reference to the latest developments of the case. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:      The 2026 Election Committee Subsector (ECSS) Ordinary Elections will be held on November 22 (Sunday). The Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC), … read more