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Statistics on Hong Kong's Gross National Product (GNP) and External Factor Income Flows (EFIF) for the third quarter of 2007 are released today (December 14) by the Census and Statistics Department.
In the third quarter of 2007, Hong Kong's GNP increased by 9.3% over a year earlier to $424.5 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $413.8 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 9.8% increase during the period. Compared with GDP, the value of Hong Kong's GNP was larger by $10.7 billion in the third quarter of 2007, representing a net external factor income inflow of the same amount, and equivalent to 2.6% of GDP in that quarter.
After netting out the effect of price changes, Hong Kong's GNP increased by 5.8% in real terms in the third quarter of 2007 over a year earlier. This was lower than the corresponding increase of 6.2% recorded for GDP in the same quarter.
Total factor income inflow into Hong Kong, estimated at $224.4 billion in the third quarter of 2007 and equivalent to 54.2% of GDP in that quarter, increased markedly by 38.6% over a year earlier. At the same time, total factor income outflow, estimated at $213.7 billion in the third quarter of 2007 and equivalent to 51.6% of GDP of the same period, also recorded a significant increase of 41.9% over a year earlier. Taking the inflow and outflow together, a net external factor income inflow of $10.7 billion was recorded in the third quarter of 2007.
Within total factor income inflow, Direct Investment Income (DII) rose substantially by 43.0% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from investment abroad. Portfolio Investment Income (PII) increased by 28.7%, mainly attributable to the increase in dividend income received from holdings of non-resident shares during the period. Other Investment Income (OII) surged by 40.0% over a year earlier, mainly on account of increased interest income from offshore loans and deposits of the local banking sector, which in turn was the combined result of increases in interest rates and external assets of the local banking sector.
Within total factor income outflow, DII rose sharply by 44.2% over a year earlier, largely attributable to increased earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from investment in Hong Kong during the period. PII increased substantially by 39.6%, mainly due to the increase in dividend income received from holdings of a number of resident publicly listed companies by non-resident investors. OII increased significantly by 34.6%, largely caused by increased liabilities of the local banking sector and higher interest rates.
Analysed by country/territory, the mainland of China continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong's external factor income inflow in the third quarter of 2007, accounting for 30.8%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands, with a share of 24.0%, reflecting continued investment income inflow from this tax haven economy where Hong Kong companies had set up a considerable number of holding companies. Other major source countries/territories were the United States of America and the United Kingdom, at 8.7% and 7.1% respectively.
The mainland of China and the British Virgin Islands were also the most important destinations for Hong Kong's external factor income outflow in the third quarter of 2007, accounting for 24.4% and 18.0% respectively. Other major destination countries/territories included the Netherlands, at 9.5%, and the United States of America, at 9.1%.
Further Information
GDP and GNP are closely related measures of economic performance. GDP is the total value of production of all resident producing units within the territory. GNP denotes the total income earned by residents of a particular territory, regardless of the place in which the economic activities generating the income are undertaken. In other words, GNP is obtained by adding to GDP factor income earned by residents from outside the territory and deducting factor income earned by non-residents within the territory.
The above EFIF figures are compiled based on data obtained from the Survey of External Claims, Liabilities and Income, supplemented by data from other sources.
Figures of GNP and EFIF from the fourth quarter of 2005 to the third quarter of 2007 analysed by income component are presented in Table A, while the country/territory breakdowns of external factor income inflows and external factor income outflows for the same period are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.
Statistics on GNP and EFIF for 2007 are preliminary figures. They are subject to revision when more data become available. In light of the latest information available, annual and quarterly figures on GNP and EFIF for 2006 have been revised.
Enquiries about GNP and EFIF statistics may be directed to the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the Census and Statistics Department at 2116 5102.
Ends/Friday, December 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:19
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