Hong Kong needs 40-50 new international schools to accommodate 40,000 students by 2035

Hong Kong will need to build 40 to 50 new international school campuses to house up to 40,000 additional non-local students expected by 2035, requiring as much as 1.11 million square metres of new floor space, according to property consultancy CBRE.

The expansion forms part of the city's push to become a global education hub, with the influx of foreign and mainland Chinese students set to create sustained demand across Hong Kong's property sector, the consultancy said in a study released Monday. The city is projected to attract around 200,000 extra non-local students over the next decade as government incentives draw wealthy migrants.

Accommodation shortfall looms

Student housing will face an even sharper squeeze, with more than 70,000 additional beds needed within about 10 years to accommodate the growing cohort.

"Hong Kong's education sector is undergoing a structural transformation," said Marcos Chan, executive director and head of research at CBRE Hong Kong.

The property demand stems from both international schools requiring physical campus space and universities needing to expand infrastructure as enrolment climbs. The consultancy estimates international schools alone will need between 30,000 and 40,000 places for non-local pupils, translating to up to 12 million square feet of gross floor area.

The projections suggest the education boom could reshape development priorities in a city where land is scarce and expensive, creating opportunities for developers and investors willing to commit to long-term educational real estate.

Source: South China Morning Post