India flexes to top of APAC's flex office league as GCC demand surges
- IBEF
- November 6, 2025
India has become the largest flexible workspace market in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by rising demand from Global Capability Centres (GCCs), particularly mid-tier international firms entering India for the first time. According to Cushman & Wakefield, India now has over 85 million square feet (msf) of flexible office space, with 35 msf leased in the past three years, equivalent to more than 5,00,000 seats. The growing preference among global firms for India stems from its skilled talent pool, cost efficiency, and evolving hybrid work culture. Restrictions on H-1B visas in the United States have further encouraged companies to establish or expand their GCCs in India, where operating conditions and workforce availability are favourable.
Industry leaders note that GCCs account for 30-40% of new flex office demand, and their rapid expansion is expected to continue. India currently hosts over 1,780 GCCs, far ahead of China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with projections indicating a rise to 2,500 centres by 2030. ICRA estimates an additional 50-55 msf of flexible workspace will be leased by FY27. The model’s success in India is supported by the country’s fragmented real estate ownership, where around 75% of commercial properties are owned by high-net-worth individuals, creating opportunities for flex operators to bridge the demand-supply gap. As global firms consolidate operations and Indian developers scale capacity, India’s flex workspace sector is positioned as a key enabler of enterprise expansion and employment growth across cities.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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