20.03.202609:00:33UTC+00Hong Kong Inflation Rate Hits 9-Month High

Hong Kong’s annual inflation rate rose to 1.7% in February 2026, up from 1.1% in January, reaching its highest level since late May. The pickup was largely driven by higher prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.6% vs -0.3% in January), transport (4.4% vs 1.3%), and recreation, sport, and culture (7.7% vs -1.2%). Price increases also strengthened for furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (0.9% vs 0.5%) and health (10.7% vs 10.5%). In contrast, inflation slowed for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1.8% vs 2.7%) and for personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (1.2% vs 1.9%), while prices for clothing and footwear fell more sharply (-3.4% vs -2.3%). On a monthly basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5%, accelerating from 0.2% in January. Excluding the government’s one-off relief measures, underlying inflation increased by 1.6%, following a 1.0% rise in January.