Construction Costs
School Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Kota Bharu school cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 44.5, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.
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Last updated September 15, 2026 · National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/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 MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736376). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early school construction cost planning in Kota Bharu, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Malaysia construction price-level index of 44.5, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Kota Bharu MYR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Malaysia in 2021; it does not measure a Kota Bharu market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 1736376 records the locality at 6.1236, 102.2433, with snapshot population 568,900. That ranks Kota Bharu 12 of 50 listed places, while Pasir Mas is the nearest listed peer at about 14 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 44.5 construction index mean?
The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for Malaysia is 44.5, 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 Kota Bharu costs 0.445 times a current world rate.
Which Kota Bharu inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is 6.1236, 102.2433 (GeoNames 1736376). Its snapshot population is 568,900, ranked 12 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a first-order administrative seat in administrative area 03. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a Kota Bharu 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 44.5 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local MYR/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 |
Kota Bharu 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 Kota Bharu | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasir Mas | 14 | 230,424 | 03 |
| Kuala Terengganu | 133 | 426,500 | 13 |
| Sungai Petani | 201 | 544,851 | 02 |
| Alor Setar | 208 | 417,800 | 02 |
| Bukit Mertajam | 214 | 212,329 | 09 |
| Iskandar Puteri | 548 | 575,977 | 01 |
| Malacca | 437 | 579,000 | 04 |
| Pelentong | 541 | 583,640 | 01 |
Price-level normalization worksheet
For a validated reference rate R from a country with construction PLI P, the transparent screening calculation is R × (44.5 ÷ P). At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 0.445; 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 | 44.5 (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 Kota Bharu 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
- Office Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- House Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- School Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia
- All construction costs guidance for Malaysia
- Climate Design Data: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- Daylight & Orientation: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
- Solar Shading Design: Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Sources and method
National screening observation from the World Bank ICP 2021 API and ICP data documentation; locality and population from the GeoNames MY dump (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736376). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
Does the 44.5 index give a school cost per m² for Kota Bharu?
No. 44.5 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Malaysia, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Kota Bharu MYR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a Kota Bharu school estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current Kota Bharu 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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