Hong Kong’s GDP in the first three quarters of this year achieved the fastest growth in the same period in five years

China News Service, Hong Kong, November 3 (Reporter Liu Yueqing) The advance estimate of GDP in the third quarter of 2026 released by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the 3rd shows that Hong Kong's GDP in that quarter increased by 5.2% in real terms year-on-year; the combined real GDP in the first three quarters of this year increased by 5.1% year-on-year, the fastest growth in the same period in five years.

On November 3, data released by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government showed that the GDP in the third quarter of 2026 is expected to grow by 5.2% in real terms year-on-year. The picture shows the bright night view of Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong (data map). Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Xiangyi

In the third quarter of this year, Hong Kong's private consumption expenditure increased by 2.8% year-on-year, and government consumption expenditure increased by 1.7% year-on-year; total exports of goods increased by 30.4% year-on-year, and total imports increased by 29.9% year-on-year; service exports increased by 4.3% year-on-year, and service imports increased by 5.6% year-on-year.

Zhuang Tailiang, executive director of the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, analyzed in an interview with a reporter from China News Service that Hong Kong's economic growth in the third quarter was mainly driven by exports and investment. In terms of exports, the international market demand for electronic components, chips and memory components is strong and prices are rising. The volume and price of re-export trade have also increased, becoming the main driving force for the substantial growth of overall exports. In terms of investment, Hong Kong's local investment activities have accelerated significantly, and fixed capital formation has increased significantly, indicating that companies have increased their willingness to invest.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR Government said that looking forward, Hong Kong's economic outlook remains positive, and the latest data shows continued growth momentum. Strong global investment in artificial intelligence should continue to support Hong Kong’s commodity exports. The export of services should benefit from the continued growth of inbound tourism, buoyant cross-border transportation, and active financial market activities. In Hong Kong, solid economic growth, rising employment income and positive business prospects should support consumption and investment.

On the same day, the Census and Statistics Department of the SAR Government also announced that the provisional estimate of the total retail sales value of Hong Kong in September 2026 was HK$33.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%, achieving expansion for the 17th consecutive month; the provisional estimate of the total retail sales value accumulated in the first nine months of this year increased by 8.3% year-on-year. (over)