Global Leasing Market Outlook to 2028

Global Leasing Market Overview

• The global leasing market reached a valuation of USD 1500 billion in 2023, spurred by the growing demand for asset flexibility and financial leverage. The adoption of leasing services is driven by businesses aiming to minimize capital investment and operational costs while securing necessary assets like real estate, machinery, and vehicles. Increased technological adoption in digital leasing processes has enhanced accessibility, creating a favorable environment for leasing across various sectors.

• Regions like North America and Europe continue to dominate the global leasing market due to their advanced financial infrastructure, high credit ratings, and established regulations that support leasing activities. In these regions, industries such as automotive, real estate, and equipment leasing have a robust market base. In contrast, Asia-Pacific has seen rising demand due to its rapid urbanization, increasing SME activities, and strong governmental backing for leasing-friendly policies in countries like China and India.
• The adoption of IFRS 16 has impacted leasing firms globally by requiring lessees to record leases on their balance sheets, affecting financial transparency and debt-to-equity ratios. This regulation affects financial reporting practices, especially among multinational firms, by making lease obligations more visible. Countries with significant IFRS adherence, such as in the EU, experience increased compliance costs for lease management systems.

Global Leasing Market Segmentation

By Asset Type: The global leasing market is segmented by asset type into real estate, equipment, vehicle, and IT equipment leasing. Among these, real estate leasing maintains a dominant position, primarily due to high demand in urban and commercial spaces. The stability and steady returns from real estate assets attract significant interest from investors and businesses alike. High population density in cities, along with the growth of commercial establishments, further fuels the demand for real estate leasing.

By Region: Regionally, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America leads the leasing market, supported by well-established financial systems, high asset ownership rates, and a growing preference for leasing over ownership due to tax benefits and other incentives. The trend toward vehicle and equipment leasing in industries like manufacturing and logistics contributes to the dominance of North America in this sector.

By Lease Type: The global leasing market is segmented by lease type into operating lease, finance lease, and cross-border lease. Operating leases currently hold the largest market share, as they provide flexibility for companies to use assets without purchasing them. This lease type is particularly popular among SMEs that seek cost-effective solutions to access the assets needed for operations without heavy upfront investments, allowing them to focus on core competencies.

Global Leasing Market Competitive Landscape

The global leasing market is dominated by key players that specialize in various asset categories and have established strong presences across regions. This consolidation of market power is evident as these companies focus on digital transformation, efficient leasing platforms, and partnerships to enhance market penetration.

Global Leasing Market Analysis

Growth Drivers

• Increased Demand for Flexible Financing: According to the IMF, the robust growth in capital assets, especially in emerging markets, reflects increased leasing to support these assets' high acquisition costs. For example, real estate assets in major economies such as China and the U.S. require significant capital influx, which leasing companies accommodate through asset-specific financing. As a result, equipment leasing alone accounts for an estimated 30% of leased assets globally, with increasing demand observed in renewable energy and infrastructure assets
• Economic Expansion: Global GDP growth, which is anticipated to reach 3.2% in 2024, supports leasing market expansion by bolstering asset acquisition and financing needs. Countries with expanding GDPs, notably India and several African nations, are experiencing elevated leasing activity as businesses seek capital-efficient options for operational scalability. Moreover, equipment leasing, crucial in developing economies with infrastructure gaps, has seen increased adoption, with the World Bank highlighting investment growth as a key driver for economic acceleration in these regions.
• Industry-Specific Growth (Real Estate, Equipment, Vehicle Leasing): Industry-specific growth continues to be a major leasing driver, particularly in the vehicle and equipment segments. For instance, equipment leasing constitutes a significant portion of global leasing volumes due to its role in capital-intensive industries like mining, construction, and energy. Vehicle leasing is also growing, especially in Europe and North America, where automotive asset leasing is a substantial portion of the leasing market.

Challenges

• Regulatory Compliance and Taxation: Stringent regulatory and tax frameworks in leasing markets pose substantial challenges. The leasing sector in Europe and Asia, for instance, operates under complex tax regulations, which affect asset valuation and profit margins. Changes in global tax policies, such as the OECDs Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) measures, impact leasing firms' cross-border operations. Additionally, evolving ESG requirements in the EU compel leasing companies to reevaluate their asset management practices.
• Asset Valuation and Depreciation: Accurate asset valuation is crucial in leasing, affecting financing terms and residual values. Depreciation rates differ across asset categories, which leasing firms must manage effectively to optimize portfolio profitability. Real estate leasing is notably impacted, as market volatility influences asset prices, posing a challenge for leasing firms. For instance, in high-inflation economies, property depreciation directly influences leasing terms, often leading to shorter contract durations and higher interest rates.

Global Leasing Market Future Outlook

Global Leasing Market is expected to grow significantly, driven by increasing adoption across emerging markets, advancements in leasing platforms, and rising environmental awareness that promotes green leasing solutions. Technological integrations like AI-driven risk assessment and IoT-enabled asset tracking are likely to revolutionize operational efficiencies and reduce risks, creating a more robust framework for leasing services.

Market Opportunities

• Green Leasing Initiatives (Sustainable Leasing Practices): Green leasing is gaining traction as sustainability becomes integral to global corporate practices. The leasing of environmentally friendly assets, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy equipment, aligns with ESG goals and is incentivized in regions with stringent environmental regulations, like the EU. The IMF notes increased leasing activity in low-carbon equipment as firms seek compliance with national carbon reduction targets, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets.
• Cross-Border Leasing Expansion: Cross-border leasing expansion provides growth opportunities, especially as firms navigate globalization challenges and trade volatility. Companies in Europe and North America are increasingly entering emerging markets via cross-border leasing, leveraging trade agreements. The World Bank observes that international leasing is particularly impactful in asset-intensive sectors, allowing firms to diversify geographically and optimize costs in volatile economies.