Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Overall consumer prices rose 1.1% year-on-year in January, a smaller increase than the 1.4% year-to-year rise recorded in December, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1% in January, also less than that seen in the previous month.
Compared with January 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: electricity, gas and water; miscellaneous services; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; miscellaneous goods; transport; housing; and meals out and takeaway food.
Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged for durable goods; clothing and footwear; and basic food.
The Government said that the smaller increases in January were mainly due to the high base of comparison stemming from the Chinese New Year taking place in January last year, while the 2026 Chinese New Year fell in mid-February.
It added that price pressures on various major components remained largely contained in general.
Looking ahead, external price pressures are expected to largely stay moderate, but domestic costs may rise as the Hong Kong economy continues to grow. Nevertheless, overall inflation should stay mild in the near term.