Hong Kong's high costs weigh on mainland Chinese students, survey finds

Mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong face mounting stress from expensive housing, uncertain job prospects, and social isolation, according to a new survey. The Youth Expats Association released the study on Sunday after surveying 380 mainland students between September and this month. The findings show that money troubles and anxiety about the future are pushing these young people to the limit, even as many hope to build a life in the city.

Nearly 44 per cent of respondents said they firmly intended or were leaning toward staying in Hong Kong long-term. The other 56.1 per cent were actively planning to leave, hoping to return to mainland China, or weighing Hong Kong against overseas options. For those who do stay, a sense of belonging matters more than earning high wages, the survey found.

Rent emerged as the single biggest stressor, cited by 19.2 per cent of students as their main burden. Career uncertainty followed close behind at 17.6 per cent, trailed by the cost of daily living at 17.1 per cent and academic pressure at 16.6 per cent. Language and cultural adjustment accounted for 15.3 per cent of stress, while 14.2 per cent struggled with isolation and lack of belonging.

The survey included 80 per cent undergraduates, offering a snapshot of how younger mainland students experience life in Hong Kong. The results highlight a gap between financial hardship and the emotional ties that keep some students in the city. For many, finding community and fitting in outweighs the appeal of bigger salaries elsewhere.