Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department: Average wage rate rose 3.4% year-on-year in June.

On September 28, according to figures released by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, for all selected industry sections covered by the survey, the average wage rate rose by 3.4% year-on-year in June 2026 in nominal terms. In June, about 62% of companies recorded an increase in average wage rates compared with a year earlier, 33% recorded a decrease, and the remaining 5% recorded average wage rates similar to a year earlier. After adjusting for changes in consumer prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), the real average wage rate rose by 1.6% year-on-year in June 2026 for all selected industry sections covered by the survey. In respect of payroll statistics, for all industry sections covered by the survey, the nominal average payroll index for persons engaged rose by 3.5% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. After adjusting for changes in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index, the real average payroll for persons engaged rose by 1.6% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026. Wage rates include basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses. In addition to the components of wage rates, payroll also includes other non-recurrent remuneration expenses paid to employees, such as non-guaranteed bonuses and overtime allowances. Therefore, quarter-to-quarter changes in payroll statistics may be subject to greater fluctuation, affected by actual hours worked and the timing of bonus and back pay payments. Changes by industry In respect of nominal wage indices, all selected industry sections recorded year-on-year increases in June 2026, ranging from 2.4% to 4.2%. In respect of real wage indices, all selected industry sections also recorded year-on-year increases in June 2026, ranging from 0.6% to 2.4%. In respect of nominal average payroll indices for persons engaged, all selected industry sections recorded year-on-year increases in the second quarter of 2026, ranging from 2.0% to 5.3%. In respect of real average payroll indices, in the second quarter of 2026, apart from the sewerage, waste management and remediation activities sector, which remained broadly unchanged compared with a year earlier, all other selected industry sections recorded year-on-year increases, ranging from 0.5% to 3.3%. A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that wages and labour earnings continued to rise steadily in the second quarter of 2026, with growth across a broad range of industries. Looking ahead, with the continued support of the expanding local economy, wage growth is expected to remain positive, and labour demand is expected to be sustained, thereby driving further increases in wages and labour earnings. The Government will continue to closely monitor the evolution of external uncertainties and their potential impact on the Hong Kong economy.