A vendor points to fruits at the Yau Ma Tei fruit market in Hong Kong on Nov 22, 2022. (PHOTO / AFP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's overall consumer prices registered a year-on-year increase of 2.6 percent in November, moderating slightly from the 2.7 percent gain in October, data from the Census and Statistics Department showed on Thursday.

Netting out the effects of all of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the composite consumer price index (CPI) in November was 1.6 percent, slightly smaller than the 1.7 percent recorded in October.

Taking the first 11 months of 2023 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.1 percent over a year earlier, according to the data

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Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded for alcoholic drinks and tobacco (18.9 percent), clothing and footwear (4.7 percent), meals out and takeaway food (3.7 percent), miscellaneous services (3.2 percent), housing (2.8 percent), miscellaneous goods (2.6 percent), transport (2.4 percent), and basic food (1.1 percent).   

On the other hand, year-on-year decreases were recorded for electricity, gas and water (-2.4 percent), and durable goods (-1.3 percent).   

Taking the first 11 months of 2023 together, the Composite CPI rose by 2.1 percent over a year earlier, according to the data.

READ MORE: Hong Kong records 2% inflation in September

An HKSAR government spokesman said overall inflation should remain moderate in the near term. External price pressures are expected to ease further.  

Domestic business cost might face some upward pressures as the economy continues to recover, he added.