Thought Leadership

Recent years have seen the global automotive industry grapple with an array of challenges including supply chain disruption, the ongoing transition to and subsequent slowdown in EV sales, evolving consumer requirements; and, most recently, escalating geopolitical tension and tariffs.

Other hurdles include a need to comply with 2030 net zero and sustainability targets (for manufacturers continuing to build petrol engine cars) and regulatory requirements related to new technologies such as connected and autonomous vehicles.

Labour shortages and a widening skills gap pose further challenges, as auto firms struggle to recruit employees with new and sought-after technical skills such as those related to EV technology, software, and data analysis.

Against this backdrop, many auto firms in Asia Pacific are reorganising operations, reducing headcount, and engaging in M&A activity and strategic partnerships; a process that is inevitably reshaping their commercial real estate requirements.

Explore the shifting dynamics of the region’s real assets landscape amid evolving economic conditions. The study identifies both cyclical and structural investment opportunities, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth as key priorities for investors.

Offices in markets such as India, Australia, and Japan could offer an attractive entry point with rental growth prospects looking more positive. Core assets with proximity to amenity and public transport are increasingly sought after, with the gap in occupier preference for centralised and decentralised locations widening.

Industrial & logistics assets in locations with higher potential for manufacturing occupier demand, such as Southeast Asia and India are expected to outperform. Dry logistics in Korea will continue to capture investors’ interest. E-commerce continues to evolve, helping to drive demand for logistics space in fast adopting markets.​

While retail demand has been more conservative due to global trade uncertainty, most markets are expected to see rent growth continue in 2025 and 2026. Tailwinds include population growth and rate cuts in Australia; solid tourist arrivals offsetting slower domestic consumption in Japan and Korea; and strong leasing demand from local retailers in India.​

Living sector demand continues to accelerate despite the limited scale of this asset class in Asia Pacific. Investors are advised to stay focused on established markets such as Japan, where cash-on-cash yields remain attractive and vacancies remain low. Other options include developing or acquiring projects for build-to-rent or student accommodation in markets with significant supply shortfalls, such as Australia and Hong Kong SAR.​

Data centres continue to grow as a primary investment option for investors in Asia Pacific. With demand for AI strengthening, supply across most markets in Asia Pacific is projected to be unable to meet demand. Opportunities for investment in tier I markets such as Japan, Australia and Korea will continue to surface as operators look to recycle assets, while development partnerships will remain an option in growing Southeast Asian markets.

Across Asia-Pacific, the region has witnessed a significant influx of investment and infrastructure development, fuelled by its substantial market size, growing exports and rapid urbanisation.

This trend raises an important question: What are the top three drivers of office demand in the Asia-Pacific region?

The infographic highlights the key industries fuelling demand across APAC. In India, IT-BPM and banking & finance accounted for 46% of total office demand. In Chinese Mainland, finance and TMT contributed 28.4%. In SEA, countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are seeing strong demand for office space, primarily led by IT-BPM, banking & finance, and technology sectors.

Private credit, where non-bank lenders provide financing to institutional and private clients, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in the capital markets in the Asia-Pacific region. In the real estate sector, it opens the door to differentiated strategies, compelling risk-adjusted returns, and a credible alternative to bank lending.

Summary:

As occupiers rethink their workplace strategies, the region is seeing a clear shift towards quality, innovation, and flexibility. From the rise of ESG-aligned buildings to the emergence of specialized demand clusters, tenants are no longer just leasing space, they are shaping it. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Grade-A Growth: Grade-A office stock in APAC has nearly doubled to 2.3 billion sq ft. over the past decade.
• Core Market Drivers: 2/3rd of demand has been driven by 17 cities across India, SEA and China mainland.
• Top 3 drivers of demand across SEA: IT-BPM, Engineering & manufacturing and BFSI are the top 3 driver of demand for office space across South-East Asia.

Summary: The co-living landscape has evolved significantly since our initial publication, transitioning from a niche accommodation solution to a recognised asset class that attracts diverse investors and serves an expanding resident base.

As the sector matures, we address emerging considerations around sustainable growth, regulatory frameworks and market resilience. Our expanded 2025 survey engaged over 30 domestic and international stakeholders to capture current sentiment and develop forward-looking insights into this rapidly developing market.

This report synthesises anonymous feedback from across the industry to deliver a comprehensive view of Singapore’s transforming co-living sector, offering valuable context for both established players and those exploring new opportunities in this dynamic space.

Summary: CBRE’s latest Asia Pacific Leasing Market Sentiment Index reveals that overall leasing sentiment improved across most markets and sectors in Q3 2025:

Office: Occupier sentiment is strengthening as trade tensions ease and office attendance mandates tighten. All markets except for mainland China are reporting an increase in tenant enquiries and inspections. Overall expansionary sentiment is being driven by India and North Asia markets. Aligning with CBRE’s 2025 APAC Office Occupier Survey, more tenants are demanding well-located offices with a superior amenity offering.

Retail: Improving clarity around global trade policy is instilling retailers with greater confidence, triggering more enquiries and site inspections across most markets, except for Singapore. Stronger demand in India and Korea is providing a foundation for landlords to raise rental expectations. However, rising operating costs are prompting retailers to review portfolios and assess whether to relocate underperforming stores.

Industrial & Logistics: Enquiries and site inspections are gaining traction amid the stabilising trade outlook, setting the stage for a potential recovery. Growth markets including India and Southeast Asia remain resilient, while sentiment in Japan and Korea is strengthening on the back of easing supply-side pressure. Despite the uptick in demand, prospects for rental growth remain limited as tenants retain stronger leverage than landlords in negotiations.

Co-produced by Vistra Fund Solutions and APREA

The APAC real assets market is full of potential, but also operational, tax, and regulatory friction. This exclusive report reveals where the biggest opportunities lie, what’s holding investors back, and how leading firms are navigating the complexity.

Inside the Friction Index 2025:

• Which APAC markets and asset classes are attracting institutional capital
• Where investors face the highest levels of friction and why
• How leaders use outsourcing, AI, and tech to gain a competitive edge
• The trends redefining real assets: ESG, AI, and regulatory shifts

India is undergoing a dramatic demographic shift that presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for the senior living sector. The country’s senior population is projected to more than double from 156.7 million in 2024 to 347 million by 2050, representing 21% of the total population. This transformation is driving substantial growth in the senior living market, which is currently valued at INR 15,500 crore (USD 1.8 billion) and expected to expand to INR 64,500 crore (USD 7.7 billion) by 2030.

Despite this promising growth trajectory, the market remains severely undersupplied and in its early stages. With only 1.3% penetration compared to mature markets like the US and Australia that exceed 6%, India’s senior living sector has vast untapped potential. The current supply of approximately 20,000 units falls dramatically short of the estimated demand of 2.27 million households by 2030, highlighting the enormous opportunity for developers, operators, and investors in this rapidly evolving sector.

Summary: Colliers’ Global Capital Flows Report (September 2025) highlights cautious but steady growth in real estate investment activity worldwide, with Asia Pacific maintaining a leading role despite global headwinds.

Key highlights include:

• Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong ranked among the top 10 global sources of cross-border capital.
• Japan and Australia remain top global capital destinations, reflecting sustained investor confidence.
• Office and retail sectors are leading the regional recovery, with office assets reclaiming the top spot in transaction volumes.
• Land-led development continues to dominate, with seven of the top 10 global destinations located in APAC.