The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 20) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the third quarter of 2018.

     GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production in respect of individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by net output or value added, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures net of the effect of price changes, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms.

     According to the preliminary figures, overall GDP increased by 2.9% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 3.5% increase in the second quarter of 2018.

     Analysed by constituent services sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in respect of all the services activities taken together increased by 3.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 3.8% increase in the second quarter.

     Net output in the import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector increased by 5.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, after the growth of 5.8% in the second quarter. The further notable growth of merchandise trade during the quarter rendered support to the continued growth of this sector. 

     Net output in the financing and insurance sector increased by 3.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 5.1% in the second quarter. Stock trading activities cooled off further during the quarter, leading to a narrower growth of this sector.

     Net output in the accommodation services (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short term accommodation) and food services sector grew by 3.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 3.8% in the second quarter.

     Net output in the transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector registered an increase of 1.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, following the growth of 4.3% in the second quarter.

     Net output in the information and communications sector increased by 3.1% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 3.3% in the second quarter.

     Net output in the real estate, professional and business services sector rose by 1.7% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, after the growth of 2.0% in the second quarter.

     Net output in the public administration, social and personal services sector increased by 3.3% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 2.9% in the second quarter.

     As for sectors other than the services sectors, net output in the local manufacturing sector rose by 1.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 1.6% growth in the second quarter.

     Net output in the electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector dropped by 4.0% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 from a year earlier, as against the increase of 4.4% in the second quarter.

     Net output in the construction sector recorded a marginal decrease of 0.2% in real terms in the third quarter of 2018 from a year earlier, following the decrease of 1.8% in the second quarter.

Further information

     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP by economic activity in real terms from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018 are shown in Table 1. For enquiries about statistics on GDP by economic activity, please call the National Income Branch (2) of the C&SD at telephone number 3903 7005.

     Figures of chain volume measures of GDP by economic activity for the third quarter of 2018 are only preliminary at this stage. When more data become available, the preliminary figures will be revised accordingly. More detailed figures can also be found at the Hong Kong Statistics section of the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, December 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:30

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