Industrial real estate growth 2026

In mid‑2026, industrial real estate markets across several major economies recorded strong expansion. In the United States, rental rates rose 5.8% year‑to‑date and vacancy fell to historic lows as demand for modern distribution space surged. CBRE reported more than $180 billion in industrial property transactions over the previous 12 months, a 31% increase, with the fastest growth in markets such as Lehigh Valley, Washington, D.C., Columbus, Orlando and Chicago.

In the United Arab Emirates, industrial rents continued to climb, with Dubai up 6.8% and Abu Dhabi up 5% year‑on‑year in Q2 2026, and occupancy near full in core zones. Government initiatives aimed at supply‑chain resilience and domestic manufacturing were cited as supporting factors.

India’s logistics and industrial leasing also hit record levels, reaching 36.2 million sq ft in the first half of 2026, an 18% rise from the previous year. Industrial leasing grew 36% year‑on‑year, driven largely by third‑party logistics providers, engineering and manufacturing firms, and a surge in automobile and electric‑vehicle investments, with Delhi NCR leading the market.

Together, these data points illustrate a broader global trend of heightened demand for industrial space, fueled by e‑commerce, supply‑chain adjustments and manufacturing growth, despite broader macro‑economic headwinds and tighter monetary policy in the United States.