Hong Kong's GDP rose 4.3% year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2026

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on July 31, the Hong Kong Government Statistics Department released a preliminary estimate of GDP for the second quarter of 2026. According to preliminary estimates, Hong Kong's gross domestic product rose by 4.3% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year, while the increase in the first quarter was 5.9%.

According to the analysis of the major components of GDP, private consumption expenditure increased by 2.9% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year, while the increase in the first quarter was 4.9%.

Government consumption expenditure, as defined in national accounts, recorded a real increase of 0.5% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year, compared with 2.8% in the first quarter.

Following a real increase of 18.3% in the first quarter of 2026, gross domestic fixed capital formation continued to rise 4.6% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.

According to the definition of national economic accounts, total exports of goods recorded a real increase of 28.8% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year, and the increase was further accelerated from 23.8% in the first quarter. In the same period, according to the definition of national accounts, imports of goods actually increased by 29.3%, compared to 29.9% in the first quarter.

Following a real increase of 3.3% in the first quarter of 2026, service exports increased by 3.4% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. Service input increased 2.8% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026, compared to 3.8% in the first quarter.

The seasonally adjusted GDP fell 0.6% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said that Hong Kong's economy continued to expand strongly in the second quarter of 2026, supported by booming foreign trade and strong internal demand. According to preliminary estimates, real GDP increased by 4.3% in the second quarter after a 5.9% year-on-year increase in the previous quarter.

Looking ahead, Hong Kong's economy is expected to continue to grow steadily in the second half of 2026. Strong global demand for artificial intelligence-related products should support commodity exports, while service exports should benefit from continued growth in visitors to Hong Kong and stable demand for financial and commercial services. Supported by stable labor market conditions and a strong business and consumer climate, internal demand is expected to remain strong. However, persisting adverse factors, particularly geopolitical tension in the Middle East, uncertainty in US monetary policy, and protectionist trade measures by major advanced economies, still require close attention.