Hong Kong Q1 real GDP growth rises to 5.9% on trade gains

Construction rebounded to a 7.6% rise after a prior quarter decline.

Hong Kong’s economy grew 5.9% year-on-year (YoY) in real terms in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1).

The period's GDP growth was faster than the 4% increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to preliminary figures from the Census and Statistics Department.

Value added across all services activities rose 6.1% in real terms during the quarter, compared with 3.9% growth in the previous period.

The import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector posted the strongest growth, with value added rising 14.5% YoY. The financing and insurance sector increased 8%, accelerating from 5.2% in Q4 2025.

Meanwhile, construction value added reversed from a 7.3% decline in the previous quarter to 7.6% growth in Q1.

Transportation, storage, postal and courier services also grew 4.3%, whilst information and communications rose 3.8%. 

Real estate, professional and business services increased 2.7%, whilst public administration, social and personal services rose 2.1%. The electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector edged up 1.6%. 

However, accommodation and food services posted the slowest growth among the listed sectors at 0.5%, easing from 1.4% in Q4.

Manufacturing value added also posted slower growth of 3.1%, compared with 5.8% in the previous quarter.