The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (November 21) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for October 2022. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.8% in October 2022 over the same month a year earlier, smaller than the corresponding increase (4.4%) in September 2022. The larger increase in September 2022 was mainly due to the low base of comparison resulted from the waiver of public housing rentals by Hong Kong Housing Authority in September 2021. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in October 2022 was 1.7%, slightly smaller than that in September 2022 (1.8%).

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending October 2022 was 0.2%, and that for the 3-month period ending September 2022 was 0.1%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.1%.

     Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.0%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively in October 2022, as compared to 8.9%, 2.4% and 1.9% respectively in September 2022. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively in October 2022, as compared to 1.8%, 1.7% and 1.9% respectively in September 2022.    

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending October 2022, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending September 2022 were all 0.1%. Netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending October 2022 were all 0.1%, same as those rates of increase for the 3-month period ending September 2022.    

     Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in October 2022 for electricity, gas and water (13.4%); clothing and footwear (4.5%); meals out and takeaway food (3.5%); basic food (3.3%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.9%); transport (1.5%); miscellaneous services (1.5%); miscellaneous goods (1.0%) and housing (0.1%).    

     On the other hand, year-on-year decrease in the component of the Composite CPI was recorded in October 2022 for durable goods (-0.6%).    

     Taking the first 10 months of 2022 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.9% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively.    

     For the three months ending October 2022, the Composite CPI rose by 2.6% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 4.1%, 2.0% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.8%, 1.8%, 1.7% and 1.9% respectively.    

     For the 12 months ending October 2022, the Composite CPI was on average 1.9% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures were 1.6%, 1.6%, 1.6% and 1.7% respectively. 

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that underlying consumer price inflation remained moderate in October. The year-on-year increase in food prices showed some moderation, though remained relatively fast. Prices of clothing and footwear continued to record a visible increase, and prices of energy-related items rose sharply. But price pressures on other major components remained broadly in check.

     Notwithstanding the intensive external price pressures, overall inflation should remain moderate in the near term amid largely mild domestic cost pressures. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.

Further information

     The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for October 2022 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.

     More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the October 2022 issue of the "Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600002&scode=270) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government's one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600003&scode=270) at the website of the C&SD.

     ​For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, November 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:30

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