In the first quarter of 2026, Hong Kong's GDP increased by 5.9% on a year-on-year basis in real terms.

The Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong government released the preliminary figures of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2026, calculated by comparing the volume of goods based on economic activities. According to the preliminary statistics, the overall GDP in the first quarter of 2026 increased substantially by 5.9% compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 4.0%. The GDP figures based on economic activities show the production value of individual economic activities. The production value is measured by adding value or net output, calculated by subtracting the intermediate consumption used in the production process from the total production. The volume estimate of GDP based on economic activities (calculated by comparing the volume of goods) excludes the impact of price changes, which helps to analyze the actual growth of output in various industries. In the analysis of the service industry composition and comparison with the same period last year, the total value added of all service activities increased substantially by 6.1% in the first quarter of 2026, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 3.9%. The value added in import and export trade, wholesale and retail trade increased substantially by 14.5% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 8.0%. The value added in accommodation and food services increased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 1.4%. The value added in transport, storage, postal and courier services increased by 4.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 4.8%. The value added in information and communication services increased by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 2.1%. The value added in financial and insurance services increased by 8.0% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 5.2%. The value added in real estate, professional and commercial services recorded a substantial increase of 2.7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 0.7%. The value added in public administration, social and personal services increased by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, following a 1.8% increase in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. For industries outside of the service sector, the value added in local manufacturing increased by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025 was 5.8%. The value added in electricity, gas, water supply and waste management increased by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The value added in this industry remained relatively stable in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The value added in the construction industry increased by 7.6% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while it declined by 7.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025.