Office leasing across 11 APAC markets rose 3% to 4.6 million sq m in H1 2026, with India, China and Japan driving over 95% of regional absorption

India accounted for more than 70% of total office leasing across key Asia Pacific markets in the first half of 2026, reinforcing its position as the region’s biggest office demand driver, according to Colliers’ Asia Pacific Office Market Insights H1 2026 report.Office leasing across 11 major APAC markets rose 3% year-on-year to 4.6 million sq m (49.5 million sq ft) during H1 2026. India, Mainland China and Japan together accounted for more than 95% of regional absorption, with Grade A office space driving demand. Hong Kong and Taiwan also recorded strong leasing activity, as per the report citedby ANI.India’s dominance came alongside a sharp contraction in new office supply across the region. New completions across the 11 markets fell 37% year-on-year to 3 million sq m (32.3 million sq ft), with India and Mainland China accounting for more than 80% of the supply.“India continues to anchor leasing volumes in the APAC office market, underpinned by strong demand fundamentals, including expansion of global capability centers in the country. In fact, India accounted for over two-thirds of the region’s demand and supply during H1 2026,” said Arpit Mehrotra, Managing Director, Office Services, Colliers India.“Looking ahead, despite geopolitical uncertainty, skilled talent availability and cost arbitrage are likely to support robust absorption and further strengthen India’s position as a preferred office market in the Asia Pacific region,” Mehrotra added.Grade A offices lead demandThe report said office demand across APAC remained resilient despite moderating economic growth and cautious monetary policy amid elevated inflation. Occupiers continued to favour high-quality, future-ready workplaces, supporting demand for Grade A assets.“Office demand across key APAC markets remained resilient in H1 2026, with leasing activity reaching 4.6 million sq m (49.5 million sq ft). Despite moderating GDP growth, the region continues to outperform global peers. While elevated inflation levels have prompted central banks to maintain a cautious approach to monetary policy, sustained business confidence continues to underpin occupier demand and investment activity,” said Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research, Colliers India.Nadar said renewed expansion plans and the growing preference for high-quality workplaces are expected to sustain office demand, with India likely to remain the key contributor to regional leasing over the next few quarters.“The APAC office market is entering the second half of 2026 with growing momentum. As occupiers double down on high-quality workplaces to attract talent, drive productivity and support business growth, regional demand is increasingly concentrating in best-in-class assets,” said Mike Davis, Managing Director, Occupier Services, Asia Pacific, Colliers.With demand holding up while new supply remains constrained, Colliers expects vacancy levels to remain broadly stable and rents to see further growth in high-activity office markets through the rest of 2026.