India’s Office Workforce to Reach 48 Mn by 2030 as AI Reshapes Demand: Report

India's office-using workforce is projected to increase from around 38 million in 2025 to 48 million by 2030, as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes commercial office demand, according to a study by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield.

Under its baseline scenario, office-using employment is expected to increase by nearly 9 million between 2025 and 2030, adding around 1.8 million workers annually. The study attributed the projected growth to the expansion of office-based services and global capability centres (GCCs), alongside their transition towards higher-value activities.

The report said GCCs would remain a key driver of office demand as their operations increasingly shift towards research and development, product engineering, and analytics. This transition is expected to increase demand for high-quality, well-located and adaptable office spaces.

"AI will undoubtedly change the nature of work and the skills businesses require, but that does not necessarily translate into lower office demand," Anshul Jain, Chief Executive – India, SEA, MEA and APAC Office and Retail at Cushman & Wakefield, said.

The projected increase in office employment could coincide with higher vacancy levels as new commercial office supply continues to enter the market. The study projected India's office vacancy rate to rise from 14.3% in 2025 to a peak of 16.2% in 2029, before easing to 15.5% in 2030 as new supply normalises.

The report also said India's relative labour cost advantage could limit the immediate business case for AI adoption. Productivity gains are expected to become more visible later in the decade, primarily through IT services and GCCs.

Jain said occupiers would increasingly prioritise quality and flexibility in their office requirements, requiring developers and investors to adapt to changing workplace needs.