The Hong Kong government announced Wednesday a plan to increase tuition fees for publicly funded university programs over the next three years, marking the first adjustment in over two decades.
The Education Bureau revealed that fees for University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded programs will remain at the current annual rate of HK$42,100 ($5,370) for the 2024-25 academic year before incrementally rising to HK$49,500 ($6,320) by 2027-28.
This decision comes after a 25-year tuition freeze, with the last adjustment made in the 1997-98 academic year. The government cited declining cost recovery rates as a primary reason for the increase, projecting a drop to 12.5% in 2024-25 from the initial target of 18% set in the early 1990s.
“Higher education is a major investment in Hong Kong’s future,” a government spokesperson stated. “We have always handled tuition fees adjustments in a prudent manner, balancing fiscal discipline with the provision of affordable higher education.”
The phased implementation aims to give students and families time to prepare for the changes. Despite the increase, officials emphasized that the adjustment is modest compared to the 40% cumulative rise in the Composite Consumer Price Index since the last fee change.
To support the education sector, the government pledged to allocate additional resources, with recurrent subventions expected to reach approximately HK$24 billion ($3.06 billion) in the next academic year.
The move has sparked discussions among students, educators, and lawmakers about the long-term implications for higher education accessibility in the city. As Hong Kong navigates economic challenges and educational reforms, the impact of this decision on enrollment and educational quality remains to be seen