Global Real Estate Perspective, February 2026

• Steady economic growth expected in 2026. Economic conditions continued to stabilize through the end of 2025. Steady growth is anticipated across major economies this year, supported by lower interest rates, contained inflation and increasing fiscal spending.
• Global real estate activity strengthening. Global office leasing rose to its highest level since the pandemic in 2025. Industrial demand is rebounding in many major markets, while retailers continue to expand in core locations.
• Capital markets momentum built substantially through the fourth quarter of 2025. Strong debt market liquidity globally and declining Treasury volatility in the U.S. combined to create increasingly favorable conditions, reinforcing investor conviction and accelerating deployment activity.

Global office leasing activity rose again in Q4, with volumes over the full year increasing by 5% to the highest level since 2019. Gateway markets and larger deals drove leasing in North America and activity also rose in Asia Pacific, whereas longer deal timelines in Europe contributed to a marginal slowing.

The global vacancy rate continued to decline after peaking in mid-2025. Groundbreakings are at record lows in the U.S. with three quarters of the remaining pipeline already pre-leased, while new construction starts are at the lowest level in over a decade in Europe. The dwindling availability of high-quality, central space is driving supply shortages and elevated rental growth for high-end space in both regions. In Asia Pacific, a tenant focus on quality and consolidating portfolios into central locations is helping to balance an elevated supply pipeline in some markets.

Future trends: Strategic supply chain restructuring contributing to rising demand
 

Short-term: Leasing demand is expected to continue rising in most major markets through 2026, supported by strategic portfolio restructuring and drivers including the regionalization of higher-value manufacturing and distribution networks, growing defense spending and rising e-commerce. Lower levels of speculative construction will constrain availability of modern supply in core locations, contributing to rental growth for high-quality buildings.

Long-term: The longer-term shape of trade policies and supply chain reconfiguration is still evolving, with a focus on sourcing diversification, resilience and regionalization. In mature markets, demand is concentrated on highly specified, modern assets in strategic locations. This will lead to further growth in owner-user and build-to-suit development to enable greater customization and automation while access to reliable power will become increasingly critical in site selection.

Global transaction volumes for the living sector finished 2025 up 24% over the year. The U.S. continues to be the dominant market accounting for two-thirds of investment, with 31% in EMEA and the remaining 3% in Asia Pacific. Further growth is expected this year on the back of improving debt availability in major markets including the U.S. and UK. Fundraising activity targeting living growth markets in Europe and Asia Pacific has also been robust, leading to a rising tide of capital targeting the sector globally.

Future trends: Global hotel brands prioritize unit growth over management contracts

Short-term: With slowing new supply, hotel brands are using their balance sheets to boost unit growth via M&A, strategic partnerships and conversions. The global portion of franchised hotels (i.e., those managed by third parties) is expected to increase further, creating opportunities in the highly fragmented third-party management space, with new players, increased partnerships and M&A likely to emerge.

Long-term: The global travel landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Markets like India and Saudi Arabia are poised to play increasingly significant roles in shaping future travel patterns, driven by shifts in demographics, economic power and consumer preferences. As consumers increasingly focus on experiences, traditional hospitality brands are expanding their offerings to new verticals, boosting the growth of lifestyle hotels.