Global firms drive India's office demand, account for 58% of total leasing: JLL

Global companies remained a major demand driver for office space in India during 2025 as they leased nearly 60 per cent of office spaces in India's seven major cities to expand their businesses, according to JLL India.

According to data by real estate consultant JLL India, the gross leasing of office spaces rose 8 per cent to record 83.3 million square feet last year across seven major cities from 77.2 million square feet in the preceding year.

These seven cities are -- Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata.

Out of the total leasing, the global firms took on lease 48.6 million square feet office last year, contributing 58 per cent to the total office demand.

"With global firms accounting for a robust 58.4 per cent share, India's position as a strategic business hub offering genuine structural tailwinds was reaffirmed during a period marked by global uncertainties," the consultant said.

Availability of skilled English speaking talent and supply of premium office space at a very affordable rentals are the major factors that attract global firms to invest in India.

As expected, these global firms took 31.4 million square feet area for setting up of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Domestic firms absorbed 34.7 million sq ft of office space with a share of 42 per cent of the total demand for workspaces, the consultant said.

"GCCs established themselves as the dominant force in India's office leasing market in 2025," said Rahul Arora, Head - Office Leasing & Retail Services, Senior Managing Director (Karnataka, Kerala), India, JLL.

Bengaluru was the most preferred destination for foreign firms for business expansion.

Last year, coworking centre operators were also active in the office leasing market amid rising demand for managed office spaces.

JLL said that gross leasing refers to all lease transactions recorded during the period, including confirmed pre-commitments, but does not include term renewals.

Commenting on the report, Shesh Rao Paplikar, Founder & CEO of BHIVE Workspace, said, "GCCs today are not just looking for desks, but future-ready workplace ecosystems that align with global sustainability mandates, talent expectations, and operational agility."

Aashit Verma, Founder, Hanto Workspace, said India's escalating office leasing activity, particularly within the flexible workspaces sector, is a strong testament to the country's economic growth.