Singapore tops globally in foreign commercial property investment

International commercial property investment reached a new high in 2026, with Singapore leading the global pack, according to data from property agency JLL. The surge in cross-border deals saw a remarkable 56% jump, totaling $71.8 billion worldwide. Asia and Europe emerged as the primary drivers, with investments in Asia quadrupling to $19.3 billion and Europe rising by 31% to $39.9 billion. This marked a sharp contrast to overall property transactions, which grew a more modest 10% to $604.6 billion.

The office sector showed a resurgence, particularly in major European cities like London and Milan, as reported by Fraser Bowen, a director in JLL's capital markets business. He noted that international investors were actively pursuing opportunities in these regions. However, soaring borrowing costs could put a damper on the interest rate-sensitive sector later in the year.

Singapore's real estate market is on track for a record year, with commercial property deals reaching $10.3 billion in the first half of 2026, according to MSCI data. The recovery in Singapore's market has been largely fueled by overseas capital, with global investors playing a significant role in the city-state's activity, as stated by Benjamin Chow, MSCI's head of private assets research for Asia.