Singapore dethrones China in global property investments rankings for 2018

It invested US$18b globally, translating to 36% of the total last year.

Singapore took the lead from China as the major source of Asian investment in global property markets last year, Colliers International revealed.

According to a report, capital flows from Singapore to global property markets reached US$18.0b, up by 3% YoY to account for 36% of the total (US$50.5b).

China was in second spot, accounting for 23% of the total Asia-to-global property investments, followed by South Korea which contributed to 15% the capital flows.

Meanwhile, the US remained the preferred global destination for Asian investors, making up 34% of the total Asia-to-global capital flows.

Colliers forecasts a 21% pick-up in Asia-to-global investment in 2019, to US$61.0b. However, London is still the no.1 target for Asian capital in Europe, so the total may depend heavily on the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU.

Meanwhile, total investment in Asian real estate from outside Asia grew 38% in 2018 hit a ten-year high, to US$24.0b, indicating renewed confidence in the region. Colliers predicts 25% growth to US$30.0b in 2019.