Hong Kong becomes top Asian study hub for Kazakhstani students with 408% enrollment surge
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Kazakhstan has recorded the largest student population and fastest enrolment growth at Hong Kong's publicly funded universities among Central Asian countries in recent years, according to official data, while students from the country said the city was the most preferred regional higher education destination in Asia among their peers.
Key Points
- Kazakhstani student numbers at Hong Kong's public universities jumped from 97 in 2017-18 to 493 in 2025-26, a 408 percent increase – the highest growth rate among Central Asian countries
- City University enrolled 203 Kazakhstani undergraduates this year, a record 49 percent rise from 135 the previous academic year, making it the top Hong Kong institution for Kazakhstani students
- University Grants Committee figures show Kazakhstan has by far the largest number of students among the five Central Asian countries studying at Hong Kong's publicly funded universities
- Assem Kanabek, a 20-year-old third-year chemistry student at CityU, receives a CityU Entrance Scholarship covering full tuition and a living allowance
- Kazakhstani students highlight Hong Kong's proximity to home, Asian culture and university quality as primary reasons for choosing the city over Western destinations
Why It Matters
The rapid growth in Kazakhstani students underscores Hong Kong's rising appeal as an international education hub beyond traditional markets like mainland China, while the Kazakh government's commitment to educating its youth abroad signals potential for continued expansion of bilateral academic ties .
The rapid growth in Kazakhstani students underscores Hong Kong's rising appeal as an international education hub beyond traditional markets like mainland China, while the Kazakh government's commitment to educating its youth abroad signals potential for continued expansion of bilateral academic ties .