Indias Flexible Office Market Set to Reach 160 Million Square Feet by 2030
Indias flexible office space is projected to expand to 160 million square feet by 2030, driven by strong demand and investment.
New Delhi, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : India has solidified its position as one of the world’s most mature flexible office markets. According to a recent report, the market is expected to surpass 100 million square feet by 2026 and reach approximately 160 million square feet by 2030.
The report from Cushman & Wakefield highlights that the total stock of flexible office space in India reached 88.7 million square feet in the first half of 2026, accounting for 10.5% of the country’s total office space. India scored a perfect 100% on the firm’s Flexible Office Market Maturity Index, indicating that flexible workspaces are now a strategic component of corporate real estate portfolios rather than just an added convenience.
Additionally, the analysis from Upflex shows that India’s share of global bookings surged from 2.2% in the first half of 2025 to 10.2% in the first half of 2026. This rapid growth has positioned India as the second most active market globally, following the United States.
Demand for office space in India continues to rise, supported by an increase in supply and robust activity from operators. In the first half of 2026, flexible office operators leased 8.5 million square feet across eight major cities, marking their best performance for any first half to date. Flexible workspaces now comprise nearly 20% of total office leasing in the country.
The report further notes that between 2023 and 2025, operators leased 44.1 million square feet, which included over 720,000 flexible seats. The demand for managed office space typically ranged from 350 to 500 seats.
Despite economic fluctuations, demand for office seats has consistently increased. It is projected to rise from around 38,000 seats in 2020 to an estimated 300,000 seats by 2026, reflecting a nearly sevenfold increase during this period.
Ramita Arora, Executive Managing Director for Bengaluru and head of the flexible business in India at Cushman & Wakefield, stated that increased participation from institutional investors is bringing long-term capital and discipline to the sector. Changing expectations from companies using office space are prompting operators to provide better quality and more advanced amenities. The emergence of new demand sources, including AI-based businesses, is broadening opportunities and strengthening the long-term prospects of the flexible office sector.
Arora also noted that the nature of demand is evolving. Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and multinational corporations are increasingly utilizing flexible office spaces to enter various markets and expand their operations.
AI is emerging as a new growth opportunity within this sector. India is among the key markets where a mature AI ecosystem is developing within the flexible office space. The report indicates that ready-to-use facilities that can easily expand as needed are particularly well-suited to the rapidly changing office space requirements of AI companies.
