Global real estate investment activity strengthened notably in 2025, with total volumes rising 8.2% above 2024 levels. This rebound was driven by a combination of improving market sentiment, increased transactional activity, and stabilizing capital values across key regions.

Performance varied by geography, North America led the global recovery with a robust 15.4% uplift, while EMEA posted an 8.6% increase, fueled largely by strong momentum in the second half of the year. APAC saw more modest overall growth at 1.7%, although transactions of standing assets in core APAC markets rose circa 8%. Together, these trends point to a market transitioning out of a challenging period and setting a more positive foundation for 2026.

Multifamily only just ahead of industrial and office globally

Globally, multifamily has maintained its position ahead of all other sectors, on a 24-month rolling basis, as of the end of 2025. Accounting for 24.9% of all global activity, it is only just ahead of industrial (22.7%) and office (21.3%). Its leading position is driven by the continued, large investment volumes in the U.S. market, even though this has dropped back.

Source: Colliers