Singapore has emerged as the third-most preferred destination for Living investments in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, as revealed by Cushman & Wakefield’s inaugural APAC Living Investor Survey 2026. The survey indicates that investors are planning to allocate an estimated US$33.2b to the sector over the next five years, driven by a growing demand for flexible rental housing and a shortage of institutional-grade Living assets.
The survey highlights that Singapore’s strong ranking is largely supported by domestic investor participation, reflecting confidence in the market’s long-term growth prospects. Co-living has been identified as the second most targeted Living segment across APAC, appealing to investors due to its affordability and operational flexibility, particularly in cities like Singapore where rental flexibility is in demand.
Conal Newland, International Director and Head of Living, APAC at Cushman & Wakefield, noted, “The Living sector has reached an important inflection point across APAC. What was once considered an alternative investment strategy is increasingly being viewed as a core institutional asset class.”
The survey also found that 85% of respondents plan to increase their Living investments over the next five years, with none expecting to reduce them. This trend is supported by the emergence of office and hotel conversions as viable routes to expand Living sector supply, especially in land-constrained Singapore.
Josh Rose-Nokes, Director of Living Research, APAC, added, “Rising affordability pressures and changing tenant preferences are driving demand for flexible housing solutions, making co-living an increasingly attractive proposition for both investors and occupiers.”
As the sector continues to evolve, the focus on repositioning and conversion opportunities is expected to grow, providing new avenues for investors to meet the rising demand for operational residential assets in Singapore and beyond.
