Latest Developments

Gross Domestic Product and its major components (PDF) (Excel)

Latest situation
The Hong Kong economy continued to expand, though at a moderated pace, in the third quarter of 2024 over a year earlier. Real GDP grew by 1.8% year-on-year, having increased by 3.2% in the preceding quarter. For the first three quarters as a whole, real GDP grew by 2.6% over a year earlier. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP declined by 1.1% in the third quarter. While the external environment has turned more challenging recently, the Hong Kong economy is expected to maintain its growth momentum for the remainder of the year. Increased global economic uncertainties and escalation of trade conflicts would affect the performance of our goods exports. Nonetheless, the expected further monetary easing by major central banks, together with the Mainland's recent introduction of various measures to stimulate the economy, would help support sentiment and activities in our domestic market. Specifically, gradually easing financial conditions should bode well for fixed asset investment. The Central Government's various measures benefitting Hong Kong, the SAR Government's various initiatives to boost market sentiment, as well as better sentiment in the asset markets and increasing employment earnings, would be conducive to spending by both residents and visitors in the domestic market, though the change in their consumption patterns will continue to pose a constraint. Taking into account the actual outturn in the first three quarters of the year and the latest developments of the global and local situation, the real GDP growth forecast for 2024 as a whole is revised to 2.5%. The forecast rates of underlying and headline consumer price inflation for 2024 are revised down to 1.1% and 1.7% respectively.


External sector (PDF) (Excel)

Latest situation
The value of merchandise exports continued to grow in December 2024 over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland expanded visibly and those to the European Union turned to an increase. Those to the United States declined further. Meanwhile, those to other major Asian markets showed mixed performance.
Looking ahead, uncertainties in the external environment, in particular trade conflicts, may weigh on Hong Kong’s export performance. Yet, the various measures introduced by the Central Government to boost the Mainland economy should provide support. The Government will monitor the situation closely.


Prices (PDF) (Excel)

Latest situation
Underlying consumer price inflation remained modest in December 2024. Food prices as a whole continued to show a mild year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, prices of energy-related items turned to slight increases, partly due to a low base of comparison. Price pressures on other major components remained broadly in check. For 2024 as a whole, the underlying consumer price inflation rate averaged 1.1%.
Looking ahead, overall inflation should remain moderate in the near term. As the Hong Kong economy continues to grow, domestic cost may see some upward pressures. External price pressures should remain contained, though uncertainties from the external environment warrant attention. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.


Labour market (PDF) (Excel)

Latest situation
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.1% in October – December 2024, same as September – November 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1%. Total employment increased by 7 100 to 3 718 900, and the labour force increased slightly by 900 to 3 832 400. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 6 100 to 113 600.
Looking ahead, the labour market should remain largely stable in the near term, though the employment situation in some sectors might be more affected by the increased uncertainties in the global environment.


Retail and other economic indicators (PDF) (Excel)

Latest situation
The value of total retail sales continued to decline in November from a year earlier alongside the change in consumption patterns and the relatively strong Hong Kong dollar.
Looking ahead, the change in consumption patterns of visitors and residents will continue to weigh on the performance of the retail sector. Nevertheless, the introduction of various measures by the Central Government to boost the Mainland economy and benefit Hong Kong, including the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen since December, together with the SAR Government’s various initiatives to boost market sentiment, as well as increasing employment earnings, would be conducive to spending by both visitors and residents in the local market.


Other Economic Indicators


Hong Kong population (PDF) (Excel)


Regional headquarters/offices and external investments (PDF) (Excel)


Asset market, exchange rates and interest rates (PDF) (Excel)