Global flexible office occupancy reached a record 85% in 2026, up from 81% a year earlier, while 76% of operators plan to expand over the next year, according to Coworking Europe.
The survey of 199 operators across 39 countries found that San Francisco had the highest average occupancy at 97%, up from 90% in 2025, driven partly by demand from AI and technology companies. Madrid reached 91%, while London and New York each recorded 90%.
Corporate Customers Stay Longer and Attend More Often
Corporate customers now stay in flexible offices an average of 3.9 years, compared with 2.6 years for start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses. Nearly a quarter of multinational companies seeking flexible space want more than 200 desks.
Members attend an average of 3.8 days per week, up from around three days in 2022 and above the 3.6-day average for traditional offices.
Operators Favor Management Agreements
Half of operators prefer management agreements, which allow them to run workspace for landlords in exchange for a fee. That share increased from 44% in 2023, as operators look to expand without taking on the cost of leasing or purchasing properties themselves.
Meanwhile, 14% of operators now favor property purchases as a growth strategy, up from 2% in 2023.
AI and Hospitality Set the Next Priorities
Around 70% of operators expect workspace design and services to become more hospitality-focused, while 67% anticipate greater use of AI for building management, space utilization and member services. The report also identifies cybersecurity as a growing concern as more systems become connected.
Meeting rooms remain the most sought-after amenity, followed by phone booths and collaboration spaces. Demand for car parking rose 14% year over year, while interest in on-site gyms declined.
