The narrative of a shrinking office market persists. The figures from this panel tell a different story. On the busiest days, offices are fuller than before the pandemic, and organisations that do reduce their footprint mostly do so to gain quality. The office remains, above all, a place to work together and connect. Accessibility and the ability to attract and retain talent also weigh heavily.
In this edition, 160 organisations shared their real estate strategy, workplace policy, office occupancy, sustainability and for the first time, their use of AI. Both corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) took part, with a representative spread across sectors and across both the Randstad and the other Dutch regions.
By setting your own ambitions and questions against this benchmark, you can define your direction more sharply, whether the issue is occupancy rate, ESG targets, hybrid working policy or the rise of AI.
The key insights
Five shifts define the office of 2026. The main themes are set out below. You will find the figures, the differences by type of organisation and what they mean for your accommodation in the full report.
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Corporates and SMEs are moving apart
Large organisations are choosing fewer but better and more sustainable square metres. SMEs, by contrast, are growing in floor space and managing to cost. Discover how wide that gap is and where the challenges lie for SMEs and corporates. - The organisation sets the office days, the peak sets the space
Control over office days sits with the organisation again, rather than with the team or the employee, though the policy differs between corporates and SMEs. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, occupancy runs above pre-pandemic levels; Friday has halved. Organisations size their space to that peak, so very little floor space is released. - Collaboration remains the office's most important function
Corporates increasingly use their real estate strategically as well, for example to attract talent. - Sustainability: high ambition, slow delivery
Sustainability weighs more heavily in location decisions, but delivery lags behind. - AI is changing the function of the office
Measured for the first time: around three-quarters of organisations expect a noticeable change in office use driven by AI. Yet this rarely leads to less floor space.
What's in the full report?
More than 30 pages of data, charts and analysis. The report includes, among other things:
- The full figures behind the split between corporates and SMEs.
- Occupancy rates by weekday and what they mean for your space requirements.
- The five-year outlook: where is contraction expected, where is growth, and why?
- Sustainability: ambition versus delivery, and the willingness to pay.
- The complete AI chapter: which office functions are changing, and how.
- A benchmark to sharpen your real estate strategy.
Read the full report here
In the full report, you will find the figures behind each finding, the differences between organisations and the outlook for the coming years.
Take part in the 2027 panel
The Occupier Panel is only as valuable as the organisations that take part. Join next year and measure your own office use against the market. Did you already tick the box when you downloaded the report? Then we will contact you as soon as the panel opens.
Why take part?
- You receive the 2027 report first, before publication, with our thanks.
- You help shape the themes and set the standard for the sector.
- Taking part costs little time: a short questionnaire, once a year.
How does it work? In three steps
- Sign up. Leave your details and we will contact you as soon as the 2027 panel opens.
- Complete the questionnaire. Short and confidential, around 15 minutes.
- Receive your benchmark. Your results set against the market, plus the full report.
Join the annual Office Occupancy survey
Frequently asked questions
What can I do with these insights?
Support your real estate decisions with market data. Use the figures as a benchmark in a business case, a proposal to your board or a lease negotiation, rather than relying on gut feeling.
What do the results mean for my organisation?
The trends affect every organisation differently, depending on your size and current accommodation. The insights help you decide whether to move with the market or deliberately set your own course, and where you differ from comparable organisations.
How can I respond to changing office trends?
Look beyond hybrid working alone. Peak occupancy, sustainability requirements and the rise of AI together determine your future space needs. The report shows what you can act on now.
Can my organisation take part in the panel?
Yes. Office occupiers can sign up for the 2027 panel and receive a benchmark against the market.
Make more informed decisions with up-to-date benchmark data
Read the full report to see the detailed results and how you can apply them to your organisation.