About 87 percent of Hong Kong consumers expect their income to rise or remain stable over the next 12 months, despite continued pressure in the labour market, according to a survey released by credit reporting company TransUnion.
This survey was conducted from September 25 to October 6, 2025, and interviewed 979 Hong Kong consumers aged 18 or above.
The survey noted that Hong Kong's job market remains under pressure, with the unemployment rate hitting a three-year high by the end of the third quarter, and youth unemployment reaching 8 percent.
However, more than half local consumers said their income remained unchanged over the past three months, up 3 percentage points from the same period last year, reflecting a sound financial situation of most Hong Kong households.
The cost of living remains a key source of pressure for consumers, with over 61 percent of respondents cited inflation in everyday goods as their primary concern regarding household finances over the next six months, followed by employment prospects at 60 percent.
Moreover, 42 percent of respondents expressed some level of concern about the impact of current or potential global trade tariffs on their financial situation, while 48 percent believe that rising product prices are the main effect of these tariffs.
Consumers adopted a practical spending strategy in the third quarter of this year to face these uncertainties, and continued this approach until the end of the year, demonstrating stronger financial management and risk awareness.
In the past three months, 38 percent and 20 percent of consumers, respectively, prioritized increasing their emergency fund reserves and retirement savings.
As the holiday shopping season approaches, only 25 percent of people plan to spend more on non-essential activities like dining out, travel, and entertainment, while 41 percent are planning to cut back on these expenses.
The institution noted that this cautious approach to financial management allows Hong Kong consumers to strike a balance between an improving macroeconomic environment and the pressures of daily expenses, helping them maintain a steady confidence about the future.
