Consumer Prices Rise 1.0% in July 2025, Inflation Remains Modest Amid Lower Government Concessions

Consumer Price Indices for July 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (August 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for July 2025. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.0% in July 2025 over the same month a year earlier, smaller than the corresponding increase (1.4%) in June 2025. The smaller increase in July 2025 was mainly due to the lower ceiling of rates concession in June 2025 when compared with the same month last year, whereas there was no such concession in July in both years. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in July 2025 was 1.0%, the same as that in June 2025.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of change in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending July 2025 was 0.2%, and that for the 3-month period ending June 2025 was 0.0%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of change were both 0.1%.

Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.5%, 0.9% and 0.6% respectively in July 2025, as compared to 2.1%, 1.3% and 0.9% respectively in June 2025. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.4%, 0.9% and 0.6% respectively in July 2025, as compared to 1.5%, 0.9% and 0.7% respectively in June 2025.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending July 2025, the average monthly rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.4%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending June 2025 were all 0.0%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of change in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending July 2025 were 0.1%, 0.1% and 0.0% respectively, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending June 2025 were 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.0% respectively.

Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in July 2025 for housing (1.8%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.7%), transport (1.4%), meals out and takeaway food (1.3%), miscellaneous services (1.0%), electricity, gas and water (0.7%), and miscellaneous goods (0.3%).

On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in July 2025 for clothing and footwear (-3.3%), durable goods (-2.3%), and basic food (-0.1%).

Taking the first 7 months of 2025 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.6% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.4% and 1.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.2%, 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.

For the 3 months ending July 2025, the Composite CPI rose by 1.5% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 2.1%, 1.3% and 0.9% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.0%, 1.4%, 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.

For the 12 months ending July 2025, the Composite CPI was on average 1.7% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.5% and 1.3% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.2%, 1.4%, 1.1% and 1.0% respectively.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that consumer price inflation stayed modest in July. The underlying Composite CPI increased by 1.0% over a year earlier, same as the increase in the preceding month. Price pressures on major components were largely contained.

Looking ahead, as pressures from domestic costs and external prices stay broadly in check, overall inflation should remain modest in the near term.

Further information

The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for July 2025 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

More detailed statistics are given in the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270).

For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images