The ICAC on Wednesday said an increase in complaints last year likely reflected rising economic activity as the pandemic eased, rather than a sign of a more corrupt society.

The anti-graft body said it received 2,264 reports last year, up almost a fifth on 2020 but similar to the level seen in 2019.

There was a slight increase in the number of complaints filed against government departments in 2021, up from 629 to 645, while there was a 31 percent increase in complaints regarding the private sector to 1,482.

Simon Peh, the head of the ICAC, said the building management, construction, finance and insurance sectors saw the most notable increases, ranging from 20 to 60 percent.

"We are not quite sure why the number of corruption complaints concerning the insurance industry increased last year. We will try very hard not only on law enforcement, but also to strengthen our education and publicity works," he said, adding that officers will look into insurance company procedures to see if there are any loopholes.

Peh, whose term of office will come to an end on June 30, declined to say if he wishes to stay on as commissioner, saying that is up to the next chief executive.

He declined to comment on why he attended the birthday party of National People's Congress member Witman Hung earlier this year and if he was one of six people given a fixed penalty ticket for flouting Covid rules.

"The chief executive has explained to the press about Hung's case. I have no further comment."