This paper provides a detailed account of Hong Kong on the eve of its reintegration into China as a special administrative region. It analyzes recent economic development and provides a clear overview of Hong Kong's economic, financial, institutional, and political circumstances, as well a brief...

This Selected Issues paper discusses income inequality in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Income inequality in Hong Kong SAR remains high, despite declining recently. Redistributive policies implemented by the authorities have helped to lower income inequality. However, inequality...

Hong Kong SAR's economy benefitted from a strong cyclical upswing through the first half of 2018, supported by the continued global recovery, buoyant domestic sentiment, and the booming property market. However, near-term risks have significantly increased - including those from trade tensions,...

This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights that with a soft global trade environment and a downturn in tourism arrivals from Mainland China, the growth rate of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is expected to have slowed to 1.5 percent in 2016. Growth is likely to pick up modestly to...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) banks' exposure to nonbanking businesses in Mainland China. Hong Kong SAR banks are generally less exposed to riskier Mainland businesses. Despite that, a sharp deterioration in the balance sheet of Mainland...

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that economic activity in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has gained momentum since the second half of 2016 amid robust domestic demand and recovering external demand. Growth is projected to have risen by 3.7 percent in 2017, up from 2 percent...

This 2019 Article IV Consultation with People's Republic of China-Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) discusses that the economy is projected to start recovering next year, but the pace is expected to be gradual and both near- and medium-term risks have increased significantly,...

Banking supervision and regulation by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) remain strong. This assessment confirms the 2014 Basel Core Principles assessment that the HKMA achieves a high level of compliance with the BCPs. The Basel III framework (and related guidance) and domestic and...

Hong Kong SAR's economy is recovering strongly as ample policy space has allowed the enaction of swift and bold policy responses to address the unprecedented crisis emanating from multiple shocks, including notably the pandemic. But the recovery remains uneven, with private consumption lagging,...