Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for third quarter of 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 3).
The Census and Statistics Department. Photo source: reference image
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the third quarter of 2026, provisionally estimated at $27.5 billion, increased by 3.1% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 5.4% to $9.0 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the third quarter of 2026 with the third quarter of 2025, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 1.2% in value and 0.3% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 7.1% in value and 6.1% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 0.6% in value, but decreased by 0.4% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.0% in value and 0.2% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 2.1% in value and 1.3% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.5% in value and 1.6% in volume in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter.
Comparing the first three quarters of 2026 with the same period in 2025, total restaurant receipts increased by 1.5% in value and 0.7% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 0.4%, 2.0% and 6.9% respectively in July, August and September 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.4%, increased by 1.0% and increased by 5.9% respectively in July, August and September 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
Restaurant in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants improved in the third quarter. The value of total restaurant receipts increased by an accelerated 3.1% over a year earlier, with growth registering across all types of restaurants. Growth in restaurant receipts picked up through the quarter, reflecting the solid local consumption sentiment. The earlier arrival of Mid-Autumn Festival this year also helped boost the receipts in September.
Looking ahead, sustained solid economic expansion and growth in labour earnings will bolster local consumption and therefore benefit business of restaurants. A series of upcoming mega-events and festive celebrations in various districts, together with continued growth in inbound tourism, will also help. The Government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the evolving external headwinds on the local restaurant businesses closely.
Restaurant in Hong Kong. Photo source: reference image
Further information
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the third quarter of 2026 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of theC&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from December 18, 2026.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of theC&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).
DH reminds public to take appropriate preventive measures against measles amid outbreaks in multiple countries due to low vaccination rates
Due to ongoing measles outbreaks in multiple countries around the world caused by low vaccination rates, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 3) reminded members of the public planning to travel abroad to visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpagebefore departure to check if their destination has a high incidence of measles or an outbreak. They should take appropriate preventive measures, such as ensuring they had received two doses of the measles vaccination, and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times. International students in affected countries should also review their vaccination records. If they are unsure whether they had received two doses of the measles vaccination, they should arrange to get vaccinated as soon as possible to prevent infection. As the winter break will soon begin in some countries, and students studying abroad will return to Hong Kong, the CHP urged the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they feel unwell. They should also report their symptoms and travel history to the healthcare workers before their appointment so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent a community spread. Schools should also remain vigilant to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission on campus.
Measles is an endemic infection in many parts of the world. So far this year, the United States (US) has recorded more than 4 800 cases of measles, more than double last year's total. The situation remains out of control in the US. Pennsylvania and New York have reported measles-related deaths, and none of the deceased had received the measles vaccination. In Asia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Laos and the Philippines have also experienced measles outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage.
"Overseas cases mainly affected individuals who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, underscoring the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity. Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme and its immunisation services provided by the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres and the School Immunisation Teams, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level. This has enabled Hong Kong to successfully maintain its measles-free status to date, even amid measles outbreaks in many parts of the world. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent. The local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. On the whole, the risk of a large-scale outbreak in Hong Kong is low. However, as a city with a high volume of international travel, Hong Kong still faces the potential risk of measles importation. Locally, a small number of people who have not completed a measles vaccination (such as non-local born people, including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under 1 year old who have not yet received the first dose of measles vaccine," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
A total of nine measles cases have been recorded in Hong Kong so far this year. Six were either imported cases or epidemiologically linked to imported cases. The remaining three were local cases. Among the imported cases, patients visited Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam during their incubation periods.
People born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. People born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, should consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, if they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy as well as children aged under 1 year who are not due for the first dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) combined vaccine under theHong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, are advised not to travel to places with outbreaks of measles.
The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or outbreak of measles develop relevant symptoms, they should wear a surgical mask, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and avoid contact with people without immunity, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children aged below 1. Those suspected to have been infected are advised to seek medical attention as early as possible and reveal their relevant contact history of measles to healthcare professionals.
For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP'smeasles thematic page. Members of the public who are going to travel can visit the website of the DH'sTravel Health Servicefor news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong.
Source: AI-found images
