Enrolment in Hong Kong’s international and private schools has increased for the third consecutive year despite a continuing decline in the city’s overall student population, according to data released by the Education Bureau. This trend follows the introduction of the Top Talent Pass Scheme in late 2022, which facilitates fast-track visas for high-earning professionals and graduates from leading global universities.
The latest figures indicate that 87,220 students were enrolled in international and private schools as of September 2025, reflecting a 12 percent rise from the previous year and a 21 percent increase compared to a decade ago. This growth contrasts with a 2.5 percent decrease in the overall number of kindergarten, primary, and secondary students in Hong Kong, which fell from 797,157 in 2022 to 776,888 in 2025.
The decline has been most pronounced in kindergartens and local public primary schools, with enrolment in preschools dropping sharply by 20 percent over three years to 113,204 students. Over the past decade, preschool numbers have fallen by 40 percent. Officials reported that 30 kindergartens, or about 3 percent of all preschools, have closed or are scheduled to close during the 2025-26 academic year. Local kindergartens experienced a steeper decline than those offering international curricula, with enrolment down 23 percent compared to a 4 percent decrease among non-local kindergartens.
The public primary education sector has seen a steady decrease in student numbers, declining approximately 20 percent since 2019 and falling from 266,650 in 2022 to 246,849 in 2025. In contrast, public secondary school enrolment, which reached a low point in 2022 at 249,478 students, rebounded to 263,631 in 2025, marking a 5.7 percent increase over three years.
The semi-private Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, which include 21 primary and 57 secondary institutions, have also experienced recovery in enrolment following prior declines linked to an emigration wave. DSS student numbers rose 11 percent from 2022 to 65,984 in 2025.
Industry observers attribute the growth in private and international school enrolment to an influx of mainland Chinese families relocating under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, with approximately 90 percent of dependent children admitted under the scheme originating from mainland China. Many of these families prefer private and international schools over local public education systems due to factors such as modern teaching methods and English-language instruction.
However, competition for placements in top international schools remains intense. Some applicants are reportedly turned away due to insufficient English proficiency, despite high parental expectations. Admission consultants noted that while some families resort to purchasing school debentures to improve their chances, this does not guarantee enrolment, and many children are placed in less prestigious private institutions.
As of August 2025, about 78,000 dependent children under 18 had been approved to live in Hong Kong through the talent scheme. According to Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han, 36 percent of these children are enrolled in the city’s subsidized public schools, while half attend private, DSS, or international schools.
Education Bureau representatives noted ongoing efforts to balance supply and demand in the preschool sector, with three new kindergartens registered and ten more in the application process to offset recent closures.