# School Construction Cost Planning: Kai Tak, Hong Kong SAR, China

> Kai Tak school cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 141.8, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

- Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-kai-tak-hk/
- Last updated: 2026-09-15
- Data source: 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 12640684). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| National construction PLI | 141.8 (World Bank ICP 2021; World = 100) |
| Screening ratio to world | 1.418 (dimensionless PLI ÷ 100; not a city location factor) |
| Locality reference | 22.3242, 114.1974 (GeoNames ID 12640684) |
| Snapshot population | 42,552 (39 of 50 listed Hong Kong SAR, China places) |
| Nearest listed peer | Kowloon City · 1 km (great-circle distance between GeoNames reference points) |
| Estimate currency | HKD (obtain a current local rate and named base date) |

## Direct answer

For early school construction cost planning in Kai Tak, 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 Kai Tak 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 Kai Tak market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 12640684 records the locality at 22.3242, 114.1974, with snapshot population 42,552. That ranks Kai Tak 39 of 50 listed places, while Kowloon City is the nearest listed peer at about 1 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](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/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 school work in Kai Tak costs 1.418 times a current world rate.

## Which Kai Tak inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is **22.3242, 114.1974** (GeoNames 12640684). Its snapshot population is **42,552**, ranked 39 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a populated place in administrative area KKC. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

## What must a project estimate add?

For a Kai Tak school project, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works. 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 |

## Kai Tak 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 Kai Tak | Snapshot population | Admin area |
| --- | ---: | ---: | --- |
| Kowloon City | 1 | 418,732 | KKC |
| Kowloon City Centre | 1 | 194,290 | KKC |
| Kowloon West End | 1 | 74,710 | KKC |
| Kowloon | 2 | 2,232,339 | 00 |
| Choi Wan | 2 | 38,405 | KWT |
| Jordan | 4 | 41,537 | KYT |
| Pat Heung | 17 | 40,357 | NYL |
| Ping Shan | 24 | 45,400 | NYL |

## 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 Kai Tak 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](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs.md)
- [Office Construction Cost Planning: Kai Tak, Hong Kong SAR, China](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/office-construction-cost-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [House Construction Cost Planning: Kai Tak, Hong Kong SAR, China](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/house-construction-cost-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [Retail Construction Cost Planning: Kai Tak, Hong Kong SAR, China](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/retail-construction-cost-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [School Construction Cost Planning: Kowloon City, Hong Kong SAR, China](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-kowloon-city-hk.md)
- [All construction costs guidance for Hong Kong](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/hong-kong.md)
- [Climate Design Data: Kai Tak, Hong Kong](https://harth.build/resources/climate-data/climate-design-data-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [Daylight & Orientation: Kai Tak, Hong Kong](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/daylight-orientation-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Kai Tak, Hong Kong](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/solar-altitude-azimuth-kai-tak-hk.md)
- [Solar Shading Design: Kai Tak, Hong Kong](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/solar-shading-design-kai-tak-hk.md)

## Sources and method

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 12640684). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

### Source links

- [api.worldbank.org](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/HKG/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json)

- [worldbank.org](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data)

- [download.geonames.org](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/HK.zip)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the 141.8 index give a school cost per m² for Kai Tak?

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 Kai Tak HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

### How should a Kai Tak school estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Kai Tak comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile teaching spaces, specialist rooms, safeguarding, sports provision and external works, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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