Hong Kong needs 120,000 more student beds to match UK rate: JLL

Most APAC student housing conversions since 2025 have taken place in the city.

Hong Kong would need about 120,000 additional student beds to reach the UK's 33% accommodation provision rate, highlighting a sizeable supply gap as demand for student housing increases, according to a JLL report.

The property consultant said the majority of student housing conversions across Asia-Pacific (APAC) since 2025 have taken place in Hong Kong. 

Amongst the recent transactions was Centaline Investment's acquisition of the Regal Oriental Hotel for $1.5b (US$194m).

The city also accounted for 6% of the region’s student housing transaction volume, excluding property conversions, in the first half (H1), behind Australia at 61%, Japan at 26%, and Singapore at 7%. 

Demand is being supported by the expansion of Hong Kong's non-local student quotas, as tighter visa and enrolment policies in traditional destinations such as the UK, Canada, and the US redirect some international student demand towards APAC.

Across the region’s student accommodation supply, provision rates were below 10%, compared with 33% to 88% in mature Western markets. 

JLL said existing supply remains dominated by ageing university dormitories and fragmented private rental stock rather than institutionally managed purpose-built accommodation.

The wider APAC Living sector recorded $47.9b (US$6.1b) in transactions in H1, up 1% year-on-year. Multi-housing and build-to-rent assets accounted for more than 89% of transaction volumes during the period. 

The number of internationally mobile students worldwide is projected to reach 9 million by 2030.

$1 = US$0.13