For the first half of 2026, Hong Kong’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.1 per cent over a year earlier, the strongest half-yearly performance in nearly five years, official data showed on Friday.
Hong Kong’s real GDP grew by 4.3 per cent in the second quarter over a year earlier, following 5.9 per cent growth in the preceding quarter, according to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.
The data further showed that total exports of goods surged by 28.9 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter, driven by robust trade flows fueled by strong global demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related electronic products. Exports of services expanded solidly by 3.4 per cent in real terms over a year earlier, with all major service groups continuing to expand.
Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy should see solid growth in the second half of 2026, the HKSAR government’s economist Irina Fan said, adding that the vibrant global demand for AI-related electronic products is expected to continue supporting Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance, and related logistics services should benefit from this momentum as well.
Taking into account the stronger-than-expected actual outturn in the first half of the year and the near-term outlook, the real GDP growth forecast for 2026 as a whole is revised up to 3.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent, from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent in the May round of review.
COURTESY: Xinhua
