Economy expands 5.2% in Q3 on surging goods exports

Real GDP also grew 5.1% in 9M, the fastest for the period in five years.

Hong Kong’s real GDP rose 5.2% year on year (YoY) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026 on strong exports and solid domestic demand, according to advance estimates by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

The figure is higher than the revised 4.2% growth recorded in Q2.

On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, real GDP rose by 1.9%.

For the first nine months, it grew by 5.1% YoY, the fastest growth for the corresponding period in five years.

A government spokesman said the expansion was underpinned by accelerating growth in exports and solid domestic demand.

“Robust global artificial intelligence investment should continue to underpin Hong Kong's merchandise exports,” the spokesman said.

“Exports of services should also benefit from sustained growth in inbound tourism, vibrant cross-boundary traffic and active financial market activities.”

Nonetheless, the spokesman said developments surrounding geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and tighter monetary policies by many major central banks still warrant close monitoring.

Total exports of goods grew further by 30.4% YoY. Over the same period, imports of goods grew by 29.9%.

Exports of services rose by 4.3%, whilst imports of services increased by 5.6%.

Meanwhile, government consumption expenditure increased by 1.7% after remaining virtually unchanged in the previous quarter.

Gross domestic fixed capital formation rose by 7.3%, whilst private consumption expenditure decreased by 2.8%.

Revised figures for Q3, along with the revised GDP forecast for 2026, will be released on 13 November.