Hybrid and flexible work models continue to evolve, resulting in shifts in office occupancy trends worldwide. Traditional, rigid office models are being redefined as organizations reassess how their commercial real estate supports productivity, collaboration, and employee experience.
This article explores how different countries are responding to office occupancy changes and highlights the emerging global patterns shaping the future of workspaces.
This post was originally published on dojo.co and has been updated for 2025; Dojo is now part of OfficeSpace Software. Learn more about AI space planning in OfficeSpace.
1. United States: The hybrid work revolution
In the United States, we are officially in the era of the hybrid work model. Many organizations now take a flexible-first approach, allowing employees to divide their time between remote and in-office work.
According to a 2025 survey by JLL, more than two-thirds of companies now operate with hybrid arrangements, reflecting the long-term integration of flexible work patterns. As a result, office occupancy in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago fluctuates regularly and remains lower than pre-2020 levels.
Recent reports by Kastle Systems indicate that average office use in major U.S. markets often falls in the ~40–55% range, with peak weekday attendance climbing higher, often into the 50–70% range in certain cities and buildings.
The emphasis has shifted from assigning desks for every employee toward creating flexible spaces that support collaboration and purpose-driven use of the office.
Key trends in the U.S.:
- Flexible leasing: Demand for short-term and scalable office leases continues, with startups and mid-sized firms taking advantage of co-working and flexible office arrangements.
- Technology integration: Companies are investing in real-time occupancy tracking, space utilization analytics, and hybrid meeting tools to inform space decisions and optimize workplace usage.
2. United Kingdom: Hybrid-plus, not “back to the office”
In the UK, hybrid arrangements persist as organizations strike a balance between remote work and in-person collaboration. While the pandemic accelerated remote work adoption, many companies are now encouraging employees to spend structured time in the office to reinforce culture, creativity, and mentorship.
Occupancy in cities like London has trended upward in recent years, though it still remains below pre-pandemic norms. The UK workplace landscape often reflects a more measured return, blending flexibility with focused collaboration.
Key trends in the UK:
- Hybrid-plus models: Some companies adopt hybrid schedules that balance remote work with regular office days — such as three office days per week, with the rest remote.
- Employee-centric office design: Organizations are redesigning spaces to emphasize wellness, collaboration, and community, positioning the office as a hub rather than a mandatory destination.
3. Germany: Efficiency and agile office design
In Germany, hybrid and remote work have become well-established parts of the work landscape. Today, about 24.4% of employees now work from home at least part of the time, a level that has remained stable since 2022 and far above pre-pandemic norms. This continued use of remote work is shaping how companies think about office space and occupancy trends, even as hybrid schedules become the norm.
Berlin, Munich, and other major business centers increasingly emphasize activity-based workspace design, where offices are configured for collaboration, quiet work, and social interaction, all informed by occupancy data and utilization metrics.
Key trends in Germany:
- Activity-based working: Workplaces are optimized with zones for different functions — quiet focus areas, collaboration hubs, and flexible shared spaces.
- Sustainability considerations: German companies increasingly prioritize energy-efficient buildings and eco-conscious design as part of broader corporate responsibility efforts.
4. China: Innovation and office use
China presents an interesting case in the global office occupancy landscape. In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, many organizations continue to invest in physical office buildings, particularly in industries tied closely to government, finance, and large-scale technology development. In-person work is still widely viewed as important for coordination, oversight, and economic momentum.
At the same time, more flexible working arrangements are gaining traction. Over the past few years, many companies have recognized the productivity and resilience benefits that remote work can offer, particularly for knowledge workers. As a result, hybrid models are becoming more common among multinational organizations operating across multiple regions.
This balance between traditional office norms and emerging flexibility has led companies to rethink how space is used, rather than abandoning offices altogether.
Key trends in China:
- Co-working boom: Flexible workspaces continue to expand, allowing organizations to scale office use up or down while controlling real estate costs.
- Government and sector influence: Policies and regulatory expectations still shape office attendance in certain industries, reinforcing the role of physical offices even as hybrid work gains ground.
5. Australia: Hybrid and collaboration focus
Australia has witnessed a sustained shift toward hybrid work, particularly in major business hubs such as Sydney and Melbourne. Many organizations now treat flexibility as a standard part of their operating model, with employees splitting time between home and the office based on role requirements and team needs.
That said, in-person collaboration remains highly valued. Finance, consulting, and technology businesses continue to rely on office space for mentorship, teamwork, and relationship-building. Office occupancy has gradually recovered in central business districts, though it generally remains below historical norms.
Key trends in Australia:
- Flexible office layouts: Workspaces are being designed to support multiple activities, from focused work to collaboration, without committing to permanent desk assignments.
- Emphasis on wellness: Many organizations are incorporating mental health and well-being considerations into office design, including quiet rooms, fitness areas, and spaces for decompression.
A global shift toward flexibility and innovation
Across regions, office occupancy benchmarks indicate a global trend: flexibility, technology, and employee experience now shape how workspaces are utilized. While specific approaches vary by culture and market conditions, organizations everywhere are adapting to a future that blends in-person collaboration with autonomy and hybrid schedules.
Looking ahead, organizations that succeed will be those that remain adaptable—continuously refining how they use space as work patterns evolve. The future of office occupancy will be shaped less by mandates and more by intentional design choices that support how people actually work.
So, if that’s the case, FMs and corporate decision-makers need a toolkit built to handle this new norm.
OfficeSpace is the AI operating system for the built world, helping organizations understand how space is actually used, plan for change with confidence, and adapt workplaces to evolving workforce needs. From hybrid space planning to real-time workplace insights, we give teams the intelligence they need to turn data into action.
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