Consumer Prices Rise 1.1% in August 2025, Slightly Higher Than Previous Month

Consumer Price Indices for August 2025

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 22) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for August 2025. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.1% in August 2025 over the same month a year earlier, slightly larger than the corresponding increase (1.0%) in July 2025. 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 August 2025 was 1.1%, also slightly larger than that in July 2025 (1.0%).

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending August 2025 was 0.3%, and that for the 3-month period ending July 2025 was 0.2%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were 0.2% and 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%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively in August 2025, as compared to 1.5%, 0.9% and 0.6% respectively in July 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%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively in August 2025, as compared to 1.4%, 0.9% and 0.6% respectively in July 2025.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending August 2025, the average monthly rates of change in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.4%, 0.3% and 0.3% respectively. The corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending July 2025 were 0.4%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. 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 August 2025 were all 0.2%, and the corresponding rates of change for the 3-month period ending July 2025 were 0.1%, 0.1% and 0.0% respectively.

Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in August 2025 for transport (2.5%), alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.8%), housing (1.7%), miscellaneous services (1.5%), meals out and takeaway food (1.3%), electricity, gas and water (0.6%), and miscellaneous goods (0.1%).

On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in August 2025 for durable goods (-3.1%), clothing and footwear (-2.8%), and basic food (-0.1%).

Taking the first 8 months of 2025 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.5% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.1%, 1.4% and 1.1% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.1%, 1.5%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.

For the 3 months ending August 2025, the Composite CPI rose by 1.2% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 1.6%, 1.1% and 0.8% 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 0.8% respectively.

For the 12 months ending August 2025, the Composite CPI was on average 1.5% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.0%, 1.4% and 1.2% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.1%, 1.4%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that consumer price inflation stayed modest in August. The underlying Composite CPI increased by 1.1% over a year earlier, edging up from 1.0% in the preceding month. Price pressures on various major components remained generally contained.

Looking ahead, pressures from domestic costs and external prices should 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 August 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

HKSAR Government welcomes court's decision to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on clothing policy for persons in custody

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court today (January 13) to dismiss Chow Hang Tung's application for judicial review on the clothing policy for persons in custody (PICs).

The court judgment pointed out that the current clothing policy for PICs, including the requirement for female PICs to wear trousers in summer daytime, was formulated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) as authorised by the Prison Rules. The Court was satisfied that the CSD had the expertise and experience in the relevant context, and that it had carefully considered various factors, taken into account of professional opinion when making the decision, as well as reviewed the policy continuously. The Court ruled that Chow Hang Tung had failed to demonstrate that the current policy constituted less favourable treatment of a particular gender. The Court pointed out that there was currently no factual evidence to support any assertion that there was widespread concern about the health effects of wearing trousers in summer. In addition, the rule was not absolute, but instead allowed individual PICs to apply for exceptional arrangements in special circumstances. At the same time, the Court also rejected Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she had requested to the CSD in July and August 2024 to wear shorts and had been refused.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The ruling of the Court of First Instance confirmed that the CSD's approach is reasonable, justified and lawful. According to Rule 26 of the Prison Rules, the CSD must provide every PIC with a uniform that meets a scale imposed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Over the years, the CSD had appointed task groups from time to time to review the clothing arrangements of PICs. These reviews gave ample consideration to numerous factors, including the type of correctional institutions, PICs' varying daily routines and activities involved, the need for thermal, physical and psychological comfort for PICs of different genders, privacy and decency of PICs and the security, good order and discipline of the prison, so as to continuously refine clothing arrangements according to the prevailing circumstances."

The spokesman stated, "Chow Hang Tung's assertion that she requested to wear shorts in summer and was rejected by the CSD is entirely inconsistent with the facts and was rejected by the Court. Besides, the current clothing policy for PICs already provides a degree of flexibility. For example, a PIC may make an application to wear other clothing on medical or non-medical grounds to the CSD, and the CSD would make appropriate arrangements having considered the actual circumstances and relevant factors."

The CSD will continue to impartially implement the relevant rules of the Prison Rules in accordance with the law and commit to providing a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment.

Source: AI-found images