Inflation unchanged in September

Price increases were recorded in transport, alcoholic drinks and tobacco, amongst others.

Hong Kong’s overall consumer prices rose 1.1% year on year in September, unchanged from August, according to the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1%, slightly lower month on month.

Compared with the year before, price increases were recorded in transport, alcoholic drinks and tobacco, housing, miscellaneous services, meals out and takeaway food, miscellaneous goods, and electricity, gas and water.

Meanwhile, decreases were logged for clothing and footwear, and durable goods.

The government expects that overall inflation to stay modest in the near term, as domestic cost pressures remain contained and external price pressures are subdued.