KUALA LUMPUR: Perak state capital Ipoh has taken the title of the least expensive city in Asia and the world for international schooling in 2022, according to a new research by International Schools Database (ISD).
Similar to the previous year, China continues to dominate as the most expensive country in Asia for international schools.
"The top four most expensive cities are all located in China - Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. This order also remains the same since last year, however, median prices have increased in all four cities (although only slightly in Shenzhen)," ISD said.
Ipoh is a new city included in ISD's latest research and has taken the title of the least expensive location in Asia when it comes to international school costs from Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, which came second this time.
Prices in Ipoh range from US$2,316 to US$3,065 per year, which is a stark contrast to Asia's most expensive city, Beijing.
Prices in this Chinese metropolis range from above US$10,000 to almost US$40,000 per year.
ISD said despite the high prices seen in China, elsewhere in Asia median prices were more affordable.
Of the 24 cities included in ISD's analysis of Asia, 14 had median prices of under US$15,000 per year.
They were Taipei, Yangon, Bangkok, Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Manila, Johor Bahru, Bali, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh and Ipoh.
"Malaysia and Thailand are the most affordable countries in Asia when it comes to the cost of international education," ISD said.
Three Thai cities (Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket) and four Malaysian cities (Johor Bahru, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh) are included in the 10 least expensive locations in the continent.
Other countries include Indonesia (Bali), the Philippines (Manila), and Cambodia (Phnom Penh).
ISD added Bali to its analysis for the first time, and it was the fifth least expensive destination overall in Asia.
"This should be good news for many people, since the Indonesian island is becoming increasingly popular as an expat destination."
Globally, New York City remains the most expensive metropolis worldwide for international schooling.
"In fact, it has gotten even more expensive since 2021, with maximum prices topping US$60,000 per year for the first time," the global research read.
Switzerland remained the most expensive European country for international schooling.
Zurich, Lausanne-Vaud and Geneva are the three most expensive cities in the continent, with median prices of between US$23,000 and US$28,000 per year.
Copenhagen remains the least expensive city for international schooling in Europe, despite its reputation as a high-cost destination. The median price here is US$4,501.