Overall consumer prices rose 2% year on year in May, a larger increase than the 1.7% year-to-year rise recorded in April, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1.9% in May, also larger than that seen in the previous month.

Compared to May 2025, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in the following categories: electricity; gas and water; transport; miscellaneous services; miscellaneous goods; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; housing; clothing and footwear; meals out and takeaway food; and basic foods.

Meanwhile, a year-on-year decrease was logged for durable goods.

The Government said that despite prices of fuel-related components continuing to pick up, the price pressures on other components remained largely contained.

Looking ahead, it said that while the recent de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East has contributed to a decline in international oil prices, the earlier surge in oil prices will continue feeding through to fuel-related components of consumer prices in the coming months.

Concurrently, price in other areas remain largely stable, which should help keep overall inflation moderate. The Government stressed that it will continue to monitor the picture closely.