The overall average wage rate for all major industry sectors increased by 1.8% in Hong Kong in June 2007 over a year earlier.

According to the figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, after discounting the increase in consumer prices, the overall average wage rate for all the major industry sectors surveyed (manufacturing; wholesale, retail and import / export trades, restaurants and hotels; transport services; finance, insurance, real estate and business services; and personal services) increased by 1.8% in real terms in June 2007 over a year earlier. The wage rate includes basic wages and other regular and guaranteed allowances and bonuses.

About 59% of the companies recorded increase in average wage rates in June 2007 compared with a year ago. It is reported that 27% of the companies recorded decrease in average wage rates over the same period. The remaining 14% recorded no change.

For the real wage indices, year-on-year increases were recorded in all selected major sectors, ranging from 0.8% to 5.4%.