Asian Students Provide Boost to $200 Billion Student Housing Market in Western Countries

Student housing market in developed countries, worth more than $200 billion, has been boosted by millions of young Asians who are studying in foreign countries, a new report by an international property group said. More than half of the estimated 165 million students currently enrolled overseas come from Asia, with China, India and South Korea the top sources, Jones Lang LaSalle said in a press statement issued in Singapore.

The United States, Britain and Australia are the top destinations of overseas students, whose numbers are expected to reach 263 million by 2025.

"Strong economic growth in the key Asian markets has fuelled higher education enrollments globally," said Philip Hillman, lead director for the student housing market at Jones Lang LaSalle.

"Over the past decade, countries like China, India and Vietnam have experienced rapid growth in the wealthier middle class, which has spurred demand for higher education and better housing options in destination countries," he added.

Developer-operators have traditionally dominated the market but equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, investment managers and real estate investment trusts are entering the sector.

It said the sector is seen as a good investment owing to high occupancy rates and strong demand as well as positive income and rental growth.

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Source-AFP