Hong Kong’s statutory minimum hourly wage rate is set to rise from 1 May 2026.
Effective from 1 May 2026, Hong Kong’s statutory minimum wage rate will increase by 2.38%, from HK$42.1 to HK$43.1 per hour. The monetary cap for record-keeping purposes will also increase from HK$17,200 to HK$17,600 per month. Where an employee’s wages for a wage period fall below HK$17,600, employers are required to keep record of the total number of hours worked. This requirement does not apply where wages are HK$17,600 or above.
The adjustment follows the Minimum Wage Commission’s annual review, which considered inflation and economic growth factors to balance protection for low-paid workers with Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness. The Commission’s recommendation was accepted by the Chief Executive in Council and approved by the Legislative Council on 25 March 2026.
Employers should review their payroll arrangements and wage records to ensure compliance with the new statutory thresholds ahead of the May implementation date.
The Government announcement is available here.
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