Construction Costs
School Construction Cost Planning: New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
New Territories 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.
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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/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 12747063). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.
Direct answer
For early school construction cost planning in New Territories, 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 New Territories 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 New Territories market basket or current school tenders. GeoNames 12747063 records the locality at 22.4244, 114.1110, with snapshot population 3,984,077. That ranks New Territories 2 of 50 listed places, while Pat Heung is the nearest listed peer at about 3 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 school work in New Territories costs 1.418 times a current world rate.
Which New Territories inputs are known?
The reproducible locality point is 22.4244, 114.1110 (GeoNames 12747063). Its snapshot population is 3,984,077, ranked 2 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a section of a populated place in administrative area 00. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.
What must a project estimate add?
For a New Territories 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 |
New Territories 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 New Territories | Snapshot population | Admin area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Heung | 3 | 40,357 | NYL |
| Tsuen Wan | 6 | 318,916 | NTW |
| Tai Po | 7 | 274,100 | NTP |
| Kwai Chung | 7 | 331,600 | NKT |
| Shap Pat Heung | 8 | 77,775 | NYL |
| Kowloon | 14 | 2,232,339 | 00 |
| Hong Kong | 18 | 7,396,076 | not stated |
| Hong Kong Island | 19 | 1,195,529 | 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 New Territories 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: New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- House Construction Cost Planning: New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Retail Construction Cost Planning: New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School Construction Cost Planning: Pat Heung, Hong Kong SAR, China
- All construction costs guidance for Hong Kong
- Daylight & Orientation: New Territories, Hong Kong
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: New Territories, Hong Kong
- Solar Shading Design: New Territories, Hong Kong
- Sun Path: New Territories, 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 12747063). 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 school cost per m² for New Territories?
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 New Territories HKD/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.
How should a New Territories school estimate replace this screening benchmark?
Collect current New Territories 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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