Office Utilisation Drops to 66%, Says British Council for Offices

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• Office Utilisation Drops to 66%, Says British Council for Offices

22 July 2025

The British Council for Offices has published new research revealing a shift in how UK offices are used.

The study draws on sensor data, observation studies & swipe card access records from across the UK.

 

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The Key Findings

 

The report, authored by environmental psychologist and workplace strategist Nigel Oseland, considers the conundrum of managing a decrease in average office space utilisation whilst also remaining equipped to support a fully occupied building.

The previously calculated typical office utilisation benchmark of 80 per cent is now considered unrealistic. Post-pandemic data suggests that around 66 per cent is more typical. This equates to an effective density of 15 m² per occupant, up from the previous 12.5 m². The data suggests that even workplaces with return-to-office mandates are unlikely to meet the 80 per cent utilisation figure due to holidays, sick leave, and training. 

The findings have implications for infrastructure planning, as the occupational density and utilisation of a workplace affect the HVAC loads, washroom provision, escape routes, and vertical transport.

The report suggests providing services via incremental modular units and mothballing floors or deactivating surplus toilets and lifts, to align operational costs with actual usage.

The BCO says that this low-density, high-utilisation approach is more sustainable than high-density, underused spaces.

“This shift in utilisation isn’t a setback. It’s a signal,” said Nigel Oseland. “Organisations now have the opportunity to design smarter, more agile workspaces that reflect how people actually work today. A well-utilised, lower-density office can not only be more sustainable – it can also be more productive, more engaging and better aligned with employee needs and expectations.”

Eric Chong, Director of Research & Policy at the BCO, added: “This report lands at a critical moment. As organisations rethink their space strategies, the data offers vital clarity to help ensure the sums add up. But beyond the numbers, it’s about understanding how today’s workforce — the customers of the office market — actually use their workspaces. Misjudging utilisation is costly, leading to wasted space and poor user experience. This insight helps the sector make smarter, more agile decisions that reflect how people really work — and what they truly need from the office.”

Picture: a photograph showing rows of empty desks on either side of a walkway. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 July 2025

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