The Hong Kong government: A deficit of HK$19.6 billion was recorded in the first four months of this fiscal year.

The Hong Kong government announced today (August 31) the financial situation for the first four months of the current fiscal year (up to July 31, 2026). The expenditures and revenues for the first four months of this fiscal year were HK$249.7 billion and HK$193.6 billion, respectively. After accounting for the issuance of government bonds amounting to HK$48.2 billion and the repayment of HK$11.7 billion in principal for government bonds, a deficit of HK$19.6 billion was recorded. The fiscal reserves as of July 31, 2026, amounted to HK$645.9 billion. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government stated that the deficit as of July was primarily due to the fact that major revenues, such as salaries tax and profits tax, are mostly collected later in the fiscal year.