Quarterly business receipts indices for service industries for first quarter of 2026
Business receipts in value terms of almost all major service industries showed increases of varying magnitudes in the first quarter of 2026 when compared with the first quarter of 2025, according to the provisional figures of business receipts indices released today (June 9) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the first quarter of 2025, double-digit increases were recorded in business receipts indices of the import/export trade (+33.3%), insurance (+31.0%), financing (except banking) (+19.5%), wholesale (+17.4%), retail (+12.1%) and banking (+11.7%) industries. On the other hand, the warehousing and storage industry recorded a decrease of 2.0% in business receipts index during the same period.
Analysed by service domain, business receipts index of the computer and information technology services domain increased by 103.3% year-on-year during the same period, while that of the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain also increased by 8.3% year-on-year.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, business receipts in value terms of many major service industries recorded increases of varying magnitudes in the first quarter of 2026 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. In particular, double-digit increases were recorded in business receipts indices of the insurance (+31.8%), import/export trade (+29.9%), wholesale (+16.9%) and banking (+15.4%) industries. On the other hand, business receipts index of the financing (except banking) industry decreased by 12.1% during the same period.
Analysed by service domain, comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the fourth quarter of 2025 on a seasonally adjusted basis, business receipts index of the computer and information technology services domain increased by 41.2%, whereas that of the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain decreased by 0.8%.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business receipts of almost all service industries increased in the first quarter of 2026 over a year earlier. In particular, the import/export trade, insurance, financing (except banking), wholesale, retail and banking industries saw double-digit growth in their business receipts.
Looking ahead, businesses of service industries in general should continue to expand. The ongoing economic expansion and notable increase in inbound visitors should provide support to various service industries. The Government will remain vigilant to the potential downside risks stemming from evolving geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in the external environment.
Further information
Table 1 presents the business receipts indices and their corresponding year-on-year rates of change in respect of selected service industries and service domains for the recent five quarters, while Table 2 shows the corresponding quarter-to-quarter rates of change in the business receipts indices for the recent five quarters based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures of business receipts indices for the first quarter of 2026 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/web_table.html?id=660-69001) on July 17, 2026.
Data for compiling the business receipts indices are mainly based on the Quarterly Survey of Service Industries conducted by the C&SD, supplemented by relevant data provided by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
A service domain differs from a service industry in that it comprises those economic activities which straddle different industries but are somehow related to a common theme. It may include all activities carried out by all companies in a service industry that is closely related to the domain. For a service industry that is less closely related, however, only a portion of the companies in the industry or even only part of the economic activities of the companies is related to the domain. Taking the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain as an example, it includes all services of convention and exhibition organisers, short-term accommodation services and services of travel agents, and some of the services (only those involving visitors as customers) of restaurants, retailers and transport operators.
The classification of service industries follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into relevant industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the report "Quarterly Business Receipts Indices for Service Industries, First Quarter 2026". Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080006&scode=520).
For enquiries about the business receipts indices, please contact the Business Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7274 or e-mail: business-receipts@censtatd.gov.hk).
The Census and Statistics Department, Photo source: reference image
DH shares health tips as World Cup set to open
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off soon. As many matches will take place late at night or in the early hours in Hong Kong, the Department of Health (DH) today (June 10) reminded football fans to pay attention to their health condition if they plan to stay up late to watch the tournament. Fans are also encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes getting adequate sleep, engaging in moderate exercise, and eating a balanced diet.
Photo source: AP News
Adequate sleep and exercise
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With the busy schedule of World Cup matches and the time difference between Hong Kong and the host countries, fans are reminded to get enough sleep during the tournament. Otherwise, their immunity may decrease, making them prone to illness and affecting their concentration. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
About 80 per cent of heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes, and 40 per cent of cancers could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Under the Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong announced by the Government, one of the targets is to achieve a 10 per cent relative reduction in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adolescents and adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity every week; or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of both. Children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years old should do at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity every day on average over the course of a week, focusing on aerobic exercise.
The DH recommends that, in addition to watching football matches, the public should also participate in various sports activities as much as possible to experience the joy of exercise and athletic competition themselves. Even if they are unable to do aerobic exercise, fans should avoid sitting still for long periods while watching matches. They can stretch or move around regularly, and may also consider walking on the spot while watching the game. Walking 10 000 steps a day to increase daily levels of physical activity, combined with a balanced diet, helps maintain a healthy weight.
Balanced diet
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Some people enjoy watching sports while snacking on crispy, tasty treats (such as potato chips and fried foods) and drinking sugary beverages. However, to protect one's health, members of the public can choose healthier snacks, such as baked potato chips or baked sweet potato chips, unsalted and unsweetened roasted nuts, and low-fat popcorn, while keeping portion sizes under control. People can also replace snacks with fruits and vegetables to practice "Two Plus Three Every Day" (i.e. eat at least two servings of fruits and at least three servings of vegetables every day) to obtain adequate dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals, which help prevent chronic diseases. Concerning beverages, sugar-free or low-sugar options should be chosen instead of sugary beverages.
Stay away from tobacco and alcohol
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The DH reminded the public to avoid drinking alcohol while watching football matches. Choosing non-alcoholic beverages can provide just as much enjoyment.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO, alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (a cancer-causing agent to humans), the same category as tobacco smoke. There is no "safe drinking limit". The more you drink, the higher the risk. Furthermore, alcohol is high in calories. Heavy drinking not only increases the risk of obesity but also impairs brain function and affects self-control. Consuming large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time, even occasionally, can lead to irresponsible behaviour. Members of the public should not pressure their friends to drink or engage in drinking contests. Binge drinking (also known as heavy episodic drinking with consumption of more than 60 grams of pure alcohol on a single occasion, which is equivalent to approximatelyfive cans of beer or five glasses of table wine or five pegs of spirits) increases the risk of alcoholic intoxication, accidental injury, violence and traffic accidents.
Both smoking and secondhand smoke are harmful to health. The public should avoid tobacco, and encourage family and friends to quit smoking. When cravings strike, smokers can wash their face, do stretching exercises, take deep breaths or drink water to distract themselves. The DH has launched the "Quit in June" campaign. Over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centers (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and DH clinics are currently distributing free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs. Additionally, designated Chinese medicine clinics covering more than 200 locations across Hong Kong are distributing free Chinese medicine ear points patches to help smokers who wish to quit alleviate withdrawal symptoms. For details, please visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk).
Quality family time
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Without compromising sleep schedules, parents are encouraged to watch the tournament or replays together with their children during weekends or holidays to support their favourite teams and enjoy the matches. This kind of relaxing and enjoyable family time not only helps alleviate the stress of daily life but also promotes interaction and emotional connection among family members, thereby strengthening the overall familial bond.
The DH reminded the public to maintain a regular daily routine during this four-yearly football extravaganza. They should try to strike a balance between watching the matches and engaging in normal social activities in order to safeguard their own health and that of their families.
Photo source: reference image
