Top 11 Countries with the World’s Smallest Apartments

Hong Kong (China): The Kingdom of Tiny Living

Hong Kong is practically famous for its shoebox-sized apartments. With the average home hovering around just 400 square feet—and many micro-apartments closer to 200—residents have become experts in the art of squeezing a lot into a little.

Property prices here are some of the highest on the planet, so even these pint-sized spaces can cost a small fortune. People in Hong Kong often rely on transforming furniture and clever storage, like beds that fold into walls and tables that pop out of cupboards.

Some apartments are so tiny, they’re nicknamed “coffin homes”—an image that’s shocking yet all too real. Crowded high-rises tower overhead, and privacy is a rare luxury.

For many, the city’s energy is worth the squeeze, but there’s no denying that living small is the new normal here.

Japan (Tokyo, Osaka): Masters of Minimalism

In the heart of Japan’s bustling metropolises, small apartments are a badge of honor. Tokyo and Osaka lead the way, with many units under 500 square feet and some even smaller in the city center.

Japanese culture celebrates minimalism, so homes often have sliding doors, built-in cabinets, and rooms that serve multiple functions. Think of a bedroom that’s also a living room and a study—just add or remove a futon, and it’s transformed.

Foldable tables and stowaway chairs are common, and some bathrooms double as laundry spaces. The focus is on quality over quantity, and every object must earn its place.

There’s a quiet beauty in these tiny homes, where less truly becomes more.

Singapore: The City of Smart Spaces

Singapore’s skyline is dotted with gleaming towers, but don’t let the shine fool you—space comes at a premium. With average apartments around 800 square feet, and many new units much smaller, the city-state has made high-density living an art form.

Government policies encourage vertical growth, leading to compact but highly efficient apartments. Residents often use wall-mounted shelves, under-bed drawers, and even hanging gardens to make every inch count.

Kitchens are petite but powerful, and living rooms might convert into guest bedrooms at night. Singaporeans are experts at organizing, and many take pride in keeping their homes neat, tidy, and impressively functional.

South Korea (Seoul): Where Micro-Apartments Reign

In Seoul, the city never sleeps—and neither does the real estate market. The average apartment size is about 600 square feet, but many young people and students live in “officetels” or micro-apartments that can be even tinier.

With sky-high housing costs, residents often turn to minimalist living and innovative interior design. Some apartments are just one room, with a tiny kitchenette and a bathroom barely bigger than a closet.

Storage is creative, with beds on platforms and hidden cabinets everywhere. The pressure to succeed in Seoul is intense, and small apartments are often seen as a rite of passage for ambitious young professionals.

China (Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen): Urban Density on Overdrive

China’s mega-cities are a world unto themselves, with millions of people vying for limited space. Average apartments in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen are around 700 square feet, but many newcomers start out in much smaller rooms.

Micro-apartments have exploded in popularity, especially among students and young workers. These homes are marvels of efficiency, with built-in desks, modular furniture, and bathrooms that double as laundry rooms.

Technology helps residents control lighting, climate, and security from their smartphones, making even the tiniest space feel high-tech. The race for space in Chinese cities is relentless, but so is the creativity of its people.

USA (New York City, San Francisco): Tiny Spaces, Big Dreams

Americans might love the idea of sprawling homes, but in cities like New York and San Francisco, reality bites. Apartment sizes average about 700 square feet, but in key neighborhoods, units can be shockingly small—sometimes less than 300 square feet.

In New York, “micro-units” are popping up everywhere for singles and young professionals who want to live in the heart of the action. Murphy beds, vertical storage, and all-in-one kitchenettes are the norm.

In San Francisco, sky-high rents push people to get creative, with some even sharing bedrooms or converting closets. It’s a gritty, inspiring testament to the American dream—small spaces, but big ambitions.

UK (London): Minimalist Living in the Big Smoke

London is a city that’s rich in history—and poor in living space. Apartments here average about 600 square feet, but in central London, you’ll find plenty of homes that are much smaller.

High demand and soaring prices have led to a boom in micro-apartments, where every inch is used with military precision. Some people sleep in lofted beds to free up floor space, while others use collapsible desks and chairs.

Kitchens are often just a few feet wide, and bathrooms can feel like airplane lavatories. For many Londoners, compact living is just another part of city life, tackled with a stiff upper lip and a dash of humor.

India (Mumbai, Delhi): The Art of Making Do

In the crowded streets of Mumbai and Delhi, finding space to breathe can feel impossible. Average apartments in Mumbai are around 500 square feet, but many families squeeze into much smaller spaces.

The concept of shared living is common, with several people sharing a single room or apartment. Young professionals are turning to co-living spaces that offer a bed, a desk, and communal kitchens.

Storage is often overhead or underfoot, and every piece of furniture serves double duty. Despite the challenges, there’s a sense of community and resilience that shines through in these tiny homes.

Russia (Moscow): Compact Living Amidst Grandeur

Moscow’s grand architecture might suggest spacious living, but the reality for most residents is quite the opposite. The average apartment size sits around 600 square feet, with many city dwellers making do with far less.

Older Soviet-era buildings often have tiny kitchens and single-room layouts. Modern micro-apartments are springing up for young professionals, cleverly designed to pack a lot into a small area.

Residents use pull-out sofas, wall beds, and modular furniture to make the most of their space. There’s a kind of gritty elegance to these homes, where necessity sparks true ingenuity.

Taiwan (Taipei): Life in a Vertical World

Taipei’s skyline is a sea of high-rises, each packed with small apartments. The average home is about 500 square feet, but many units are tighter still.

High rents and dense populations mean that micro-apartments are increasingly popular, especially with students and young workers. Residents use every trick in the book: hanging storage, convertible beds, and even fold-out dining tables.

Some people have balconies that double as laundry rooms or gardens. Living small in Taipei means being endlessly resourceful and finding comfort in cozy corners.

Israel (Tel Aviv): Sunshine and Small Spaces

Tel Aviv is a city that buzzes with life, but apartments here are often tiny—around 600 square feet on average, with plenty of smaller options. High demand and limited land drive up prices and push people into micro-living.

Many residents rely on clever solutions to make their homes feel bigger, like mirrors to reflect light, loft beds, and built-in storage. Some apartments have barely enough room for a table and a bed, but the city’s vibrant culture and beaches make up for it.

Living in Tel Aviv is all about making the most of what you have and embracing the city outside your doorstep.