Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department: Overall consumer prices in Hong Kong rose by 1.7% year-on-year in April, with overall inflation remaining moderate.

On May 21, the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department announced the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2026. According to the Composite CPI, the overall consumer prices in Hong Kong rose by 1.7% in April 2026 compared to the same month a year ago, the same increase as in March 2026. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the year-on-year increase in the Composite CPI in April 2026 (i.e. the basic inflation rate) was 1.6%, also the same as in March 2026. The seasonally adjusted Composite CPI showed an average monthly change rate of 0.0% for the three months ending in April 2026, compared to 0.2% for the three months ending in March 2026. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the corresponding change rates were both 0.1%. In terms of categories, Class A, Class B, and Class C CPI increased by 1.6%, 1.8%, and 1.7% respectively in April 2026 compared to the same period last year, with the corresponding increases in March 2026 being 1.6%, 1.8%, and 1.8% respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the year-on-year increases in April 2026 were 1.4%, 1.7%, and 1.6% for Class A, Class B, and Class C CPI respectively, compared to 1.4%, 1.6%, and 1.7% in March 2026. The seasonally adjusted Class A, B, and C CPI showed average monthly change rates of -0.1%, 0.1%, and 0.1% respectively for the three months ending in April 2026, compared to 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0.1% respectively for the three months ending in March 2026. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the average monthly change rates for the seasonally adjusted Class A, B, and C CPI were 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.1% respectively for the three months ending in April 2026, the same as in March 2026. In terms of CPI components, categories that showed year-on-year increases in prices in April 2026 were electricity, gas & water (up 5.5%), miscellaneous services (up 4.5%), transport (up 4.3%), miscellaneous goods (up 2.6%), alcoholic drinks & tobacco (up 2.3%), housing (up 1.0%), eating out & takeaway food (up 0.8%), and basic food (up 0.5%). On the other hand, categories that showed year-on-year decreases in prices in April 2026 were durable goods (down 1.9%) and clothing & footwear (down 0.3%). For the first four months of 2026, the Composite CPI increased by 1.6% compared to the same period a year ago, with the corresponding increases for Class A, B, and C CPI being 1.5%, 1.6%, and 1.6% respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the corresponding increases were 1.4%, 1.2%, 1.5%, and 1.5%. For the three months ending in April 2026, the Composite CPI increased by 1.8% compared to the same period a year ago, with Class A, B, and C CPI increasing by 1.6%, 1.8%, and 1.8% respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the corresponding increases were 1.6%, 1.3%, 1.7%, and 1.7%. For the twelve months ending in April 2026, the Composite CPI increased by an average of 1.4% compared to the same period a year ago, with the corresponding increases for Class A, B, and C CPI being 1.6%, 1.3%, and 1.2% respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-off relief measures by the government, the corresponding increases were 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.1%, and 1.1%. A government spokesperson stated that in April, the basic Composite CPI in Hong Kong increased by 1.6% year-on-year, the same as the previous month. Prices of fuel-related items continued to rise, but price pressures on other major components were controlled, maintaining overall inflation at a moderate level. Looking ahead, with international oil prices remaining high, the transmission effects on consumer prices related to fuel-related items are expected to continue in the coming months. The final impact will depend on the developments in the Middle East. However, price pressures from other areas are generally under control, which should help alleviate potential upward pressure on overall inflation. The government will continue to closely monitor developments and take further actions as necessary to maintain price stability.