I spend a lot of time tracking coliving industry data because running a coliving means understanding the market you’re operating in. The problem is that coliving statistics are scattered across dozens of reports, press releases, and industry publications — and half of them use different definitions of what “coliving” even means.
So here’s everything in one place. Real numbers, sourced from actual reports and deals, with context on what they mean and where they come from.
Market size and growth
The global coliving market doesn’t have one agreed-upon number. Different research firms scope it differently, and the range reflects that.
| Metric | Value | Source/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Global market size (2026) | $12.8-$18.5B | Range across multiple research reports |
| Annual growth rate (CAGR) | 15-27% | Varies by report methodology |
| Digital nomads worldwide | 18.5 million | MBO Partners, industry estimates |
| People in shared housing (Australia) | 4.1 million | Australian Bureau of Statistics |
| PadSplit rooms (US) | 30,000+ | Company-reported figure |
The wide range in market size estimates exists because “coliving” means different things to different analysts. Some reports include large-scale purpose-built apartment complexes with shared amenities (basically fancy apartment buildings). Others focus on intentional community-oriented spaces — the kind with 10-30 residents, community programming, and shared meals. Both are technically coliving, but the experience is very different.
What matters more than the total market size is the trajectory. Every report agrees on one thing: the market is growing at double-digit rates annually. That’s not hype — it’s backed by real investment deals and real occupancy numbers.
Regional breakdown
Spain — Europe’s coliving capital
Spain has emerged as the clear leader in European coliving, and the numbers explain why investors are paying attention.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Coliving bed growth | Doubled in 2 years |
| Average occupancy | 94% |
| Institutional investment | Goldman Sachs + Urban Campus, Greystar/Bain EUR 300M |
| Market investment estimate | EUR 17B (total residential investment market) |
Spain offers the combination that makes coliving work: warm climate, relatively low cost of living (compared to Northern Europe), strong digital nomad visa infrastructure, and a culture that values community and social life. The Canary Islands and Balearics are particularly hot markets.
The 94% occupancy rate is remarkable. For context, hotels in Spain average around 65-70% occupancy. Coliving spaces are outperforming traditional hospitality because demand for longer-term community housing consistently exceeds supply.
United Kingdom — purpose-built at scale
London’s coliving market looks very different from Spain’s. It’s dominated by large, purpose-built developments aimed at young professionals who can’t afford to rent alone.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Existing co-living units (London) | 9,000+ |
| Pipeline units (London) | 14,000+ |
| Total (existing + planned) | 23,000+ |
These aren’t the intimate 15-person community colivings you find in Spain or Portugal. London co-living tends to be 100-500 unit buildings with shared kitchens, lounges, and amenities. The product is different — more shared housing, less intentional community — but the growth trajectory is unmistakable.
United States — affordable housing meets coliving
The US market is being shaped heavily by PadSplit, which has scaled to over 30,000 rooms. PadSplit’s model sits at the intersection of coliving and affordable housing — it converts single-family homes into shared living for essential workers, with pricing often 50% below market rate for individual apartments.
It’s a different product from what most people picture when they think “coliving,” but it demonstrates the massive demand for shared housing models, particularly at price points below traditional rental markets.
Australia — shared living at population scale
Australia offers a useful data point: 4.1 million people in the country already live in shared housing arrangements. That’s roughly 16% of the population. While most of this is traditional flatsharing rather than intentional coliving, it shows the cultural acceptance of shared living that coliving operators build on.
Investment deals
This is where the industry’s maturity shows. Coliving is attracting serious institutional capital — the kind of money that doesn’t show up without extensive due diligence.
| Deal | Amount | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs + Urban Campus | Undisclosed (significant) | 2024-2025 | Goldman Sachs backing a Spanish coliving operator |
| Colonies (France) | EUR 1B valuation | 2024 | Backed by Ares Management, largest European coliving operator |
| Greystar + Bain Capital | EUR 300M | 2025 | Specifically targeting Spanish co-living market |
| Cohabs (Belgium) | $450M | 2024 | Major expansion across European cities |
| Coliwoo (Singapore) | $101M | 2024 | Asian market expansion |
The Goldman Sachs and Greystar deals are particularly telling. These are among the largest real estate investors on the planet. They don’t write checks based on vibes — they underwrite deals based on occupancy data, market projections, and risk-adjusted returns.
The Colonies valuation at EUR 1 billion makes it the first coliving “unicorn” in Europe. They operate primarily in France and have expanded aggressively into other European markets.
The concentration of capital in Spain (Goldman Sachs + Greystar/Bain) confirms what operators on the ground already knew: Spain is the most attractive coliving market in Europe right now.
Demographics and demand drivers
The coliving audience is broadening beyond its original base of digital nomads and freelancers. Several trends are driving this:
Remote work permanence. The post-2020 remote work shift isn’t reversing. Companies are settling into hybrid and remote-first models, which means the pool of people who can live anywhere continues to grow. The 18.5 million digital nomad figure represents the most mobile end of this spectrum, but tens of millions more work remotely from fixed locations and could potentially try coliving.
Housing affordability. In major cities worldwide, young professionals can’t afford to live alone. Coliving offers a middle path between cramming into a flatshare found on Facebook and paying 60% of your salary for a studio apartment. This is the driver behind London’s 23,000-unit pipeline — it’s not about community, it’s about economics.
Loneliness. This sounds soft, but it’s a hard business driver. Remote workers report higher rates of isolation than office workers. Coliving directly solves this problem by building social connection into your living arrangement. For many guests, community is the primary reason they choose coliving over a cheaper apartment.
Extended travel. The rise of “slow nomading” — staying in destinations for 1-3 months instead of hopping weekly — maps perfectly onto coliving’s sweet spot. You’re too transient for a lease, too settled for a hostel. Coliving fills the gap.
What the numbers mean for guests
If you’re choosing a coliving, these statistics matter for two practical reasons.
First, the market is maturing. More investment means more professional operators, better spaces, and more options. Five years ago, your choices were limited to a handful of established brands. Today, there are quality colivings on every continent. Browse the coliving directory to see the range.
Second, demand is outpacing supply — especially in popular markets. Spain’s 94% occupancy means the best colivings fill up months in advance. If you’ve found a space you like, don’t wait. Particularly for pop-up colivings with limited capacity, early booking often means both lower prices and guaranteed availability.
The industry’s growth is good news for anyone who wants to live this way. More supply, more competition, more investment in quality. The next few years will bring more options, better spaces, and a coliving in almost every destination worth living in.
