Dormitory occupancy climbs to 98.3% in H1

Dormitory rents averaged $490 per bed in H1 2025.

Occupancy at Singapore’s worker dormitories climbed to an average of 98.3% in the first half of 2025, up from 96.7% in the previous half-year.

According to a report by Knight Frank and the Dormitory Association of Singapore Limited (DASL), the east and west zones were nearly fully occupied at 99.7% and 99.0%, respectively, whilst the central zone stood at 97.2%.

Despite the high levels, the number of workers on waitlists has begun to ease slightly.

As of mid-2025, Singapore had 60 Class 4 dormitories, offering a combined 274,000 beds—roughly 62.3% of the nation’s total dormitory bed supply.

Dormitory rents continued their upward trajectory, with average monthly rates reaching $490 per bed in H1 2025. This represents a 6.5% increase from H2 2024 and an 8.9% YoY rise.

Regionally, central dormitories posted the highest rents at $530, followed by the east at $515 and the west at $445. Since the low point of $270 per bed in H1 2019, rents have surged 81.5%, driven by steady demand, inflation, and regulatory-driven upgrades.

Looking ahead, Knight Frank expects demand for worker housing to remain resilient, supported by large-scale construction projects such as Tuas Port, Changi Airport Terminal 5, and the ongoing expansions of Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

Rents are forecast to rise by another 10% in the second half of 2025, similar to the 10.8% increase recorded in 2024.

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