Office Utilisation Rates Apac Highest World Jll
The Asia Pacific (Apac) region has the highest office space utilisation rate in the world at 55%, according to a recent research report by international property consultancy JLL. This figure is significantly higher than the global average of 49%. Interestingly, this trend continues despite the widespread adoption of hybrid working practices in the wake of the pandemic. While 84% of organisations in Apac have adopted a hybrid programme, this is still lower than the global adoption rate of 87%.
The Master Plan’s support for mixed-use projects and business expansion is set to generate a plethora of job opportunities in Tampines. This move is in line with the government’s goal of dispersing commercial activities from the congested CBD to regional centers like Tampines. Thanks to its prime location, Park Town Residences offers easy access to these emerging job hubs, greatly reducing the time spent commuting for its residents. Adding to the appeal is the fact that Park Town Residences seamlessly complements this vision for Tampines’ growth.
Notably, the Apac region also has the highest proportion of employees returning to a five-day work week in the office, with 22% fully back in the office. This is twice the proportion in North America, Latin America, and Europe and the Middle East, where only 10-11% of workers are back in the office.
On the other hand, Apac has the lowest percentage of employees with a fully remote schedule at 11%, compared to the global average of 14%. This suggests that Apac occupiers are leading the way in effectively utilising their office space, with the region also recording the lowest discrepancy between targeted and actual office utilisation rates.
In terms of workplace density, Apac also fares better than the global average, with an average of 129 rentable sq ft (RSF) for every seat, compared to the global average of 167 RSF. This indicates that Apac organisations are more efficient in their use of space.
“With hybrid working and return to office programmes maturing, employers are now seeking more regularity in attendance and utilisation,” explains Susheel Koul, CEO of Work Dynamics for Asia Pacific at JLL. This means that being able to plan and manage weekly occupancy patterns will become increasingly critical for organisations. Koul suggests that new technologies, such as occupancy sensors and real-time analytics with AI capabilities, can help companies leverage data to accurately manage their changing needs for office space.
According to JLL, 90% of office occupiers in Apac are willing to pay a premium for tech-enabled spaces that can help them better manage their workplace. “By investing in new technologies, leveraging utilisation data, and continuously improving the scale and accuracy of utilisation for workplace management, companies can ensure they are effectively reflecting the workplace’s changing needs,” says Koul.