The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 23, the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the consumer price index for August 2026. According to the Composite Consumer Price Index, overall consumer prices in August 2026 rose 1.7% compared to the same month a year ago, which is the same as the corresponding increase in July 2026. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the year-on-year increase in the composite consumer price index (i.e. the basic inflation rate) in August 2026 was 1.9%, which is also the same as the corresponding increase in July 2026.
The seasonally adjusted composite consumer price index has an average monthly increase of 0.2% for the three months ending August 2026, which is the same as the corresponding increase for the three months ending July 2026. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the corresponding increase was 0.2%.
According to the segmented index analysis, the year-on-year increases of 1.2%, 1.8% and 1.9% in August 2026 were 1.2%, 1.8% and 1.9% respectively, while the corresponding increases in July 2026 were 1.2%, 1.8% and 2.0%, respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the consumer price indices for categories A, B and C increased by 1.6%, 2.0% and 2.0% respectively in August 2026, and 1.6%, 2.0% and 2.1% respectively in July 2026.
The seasonally adjusted consumer price indices for categories A, B and C showed average monthly increases of 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1% for the three months ending August 2026, respectively, while the corresponding increases for the three months ended July 2026 were 0.2%. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the average monthly increases in the seasonally adjusted consumer price indices for the three months ended August 2026 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.1%, respectively, while the corresponding increases for the three months ended July 2026 were 0.2%.
Among the various composite consumer price index components, the categories that recorded a year-on-year increase in prices in August 2026 were electricity, gas and water (up 11.5%), miscellaneous services (up 4.7%), transportation (up 3.9%), miscellaneous goods (up 2.5%), eating out and taking out (up 1.1%), durable goods (up 0.8%), and housing (up 0.1%).
On the other hand, the category where the composite consumer price index recorded a year-on-year decline in August 2026 was basic food (down 0.2%).
As for tobacco, alcohol, and clothing, the composite consumer price index for August 2026 remained unchanged from the same period a year ago.
Based on the first eight months of 2026 combined, the composite consumer price index increased by 1.7% compared to the same period a year ago. The corresponding increases of 1.5%, 1.8% and 1.8% for category A, category B and C consumer price indices were respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the corresponding increases were 1.7%, 1.4%, 1.8% and 1.8%, respectively.
In the three months ended August 2026, the composite consumer price index increased by 1.7% compared to the same period a year ago, while the consumer price indices for categories A, B and C increased by 1.4%, 1.9% and 2.0% respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the corresponding increases were 1.9%, 1.6%, 2.0% and 2.1%, respectively.
For the 12 months ended August 2026, the composite consumer price index increased by an average of 1.6% compared to the same period a year ago. The corresponding increases of 1.5%, 1.6% and 1.6% for category A, category B and C consumer price indices were respectively. Excluding the impact of all one-time government relief measures, the corresponding increases were 1.5%, 1.3%, 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively.
A government spokesman said that the basic composite consumer price index rose 1.9% year on year in August, the same as last month. Although inflation in fuel-related projects remained high, price pressure on other major components was largely controlled, keeping inflation generally moderate.
Looking ahead, consumer price inflation will continue to be under upward pressure as high international oil prices continue to be transmitted to fuel-related projects. The recent resurgence of tension in the Middle East remains a major source of uncertainty and requires close attention. However, as price pressures from other areas are expected to remain largely under control, overall inflation should remain moderate.