Construction Costs
Office Construction Cost Planning: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Hong Kong office cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 141.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.
On this page
Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/HKG/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames HK dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/HK.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1819729). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early office construction cost planning in Hong Kong, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Hong Kong SAR, China construction price-level index of 141.8, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Hong Kong HKD/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Hong Kong SAR, China in 2021; it does not measure a Hong Kong market basket or current office tenders. GeoNames 1819729 records the locality at 22.2783, 114.1747, with snapshot population 7,396,076. That ranks Hong Kong 1 of 50 listed places, while Wan Chai is the nearest listed peer at about 0 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.
What does the 141.8 construction index mean?
The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Hong Kong SAR, China is 141.8, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that office work in Hong Kong costs 1.418 times a current world rate.
Which Hong Kong inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is 22.2783, 114.1747 (GeoNames 1819729). Its snapshot population is 7,396,076, ranked 1 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a national capital in administrative area not stated. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a Hong Kong office project, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.
| Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement |
|---|---|---|
| National context | ICP 2021 PLI 141.8 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local HKD/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date |
| Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route |
| Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation |
| Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review |
Hong Kong comparable-location search screen
This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.
| Listed place | Great-circle km from Hong Kong | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wan Chai | 0 | 166,695 | HWC |
| Hong Kong Island | 2 | 1,195,529 | 00 |
| Jordan | 3 | 41,537 | KYT |
| Victoria | 3 | 956,800 | HCW |
| Whampoa | 3 | 39,134 | KKC |
| New Territories | 18 | 3,984,077 | 00 |
| Kowloon | 4 | 2,232,339 | 00 |
Price-level normalization worksheet
For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (141.8 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 1.418; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.
| Input | Recorded value | Release condition |
|---|---|---|
| Target national PLI | 141.8 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only |
| Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country |
| Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope |
| Local Hong Kong adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence |
| Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate |
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all construction costs guidance
- House Construction Cost Planning: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School Construction Cost Planning: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR, China
- All construction costs guidance for Hong Kong
- Daylight & Orientation: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Solar Shading Design: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Sun Path: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Sources and method
National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames HK dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1819729). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
Does the 141.8 index give a office cost per m² for Hong Kong?
No. 141.8 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Hong Kong SAR, China, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Hong Kong HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a Hong Kong office estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current Hong Kong comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.
Related pages
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hawr al ‘Anz, United Arab Emirates
Hawr al ‘Anz office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 67.1 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hervey Bay, Australia
Hervey Bay office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 264.1 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hobart, Australia
Hobart office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 264.1 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong SAR, China
Hong Kong Island office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 141.8 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hougang New Town, Singapore
Hougang New Town office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 97.6 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Hyderabad, India
Hyderabad office cost planning: World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI 37.7 (World=100), scope limits and 8 GeoNames comparison locations.