{"id":5511,"date":"2026-05-26T18:10:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T18:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/?p=5511"},"modified":"2026-05-26T18:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T18:10:07","slug":"ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/","title":{"rendered":"Ageing Population Drives Demand for Nursing Homes in Europe as Sector Investment Reaches EUR 16.1 Billion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Rising demand for long-term care services, improved operating performance among operators and the return of investment capital are the main conclusions of the \u201cMarketbeat Nursing Home in Europe 2026\u201d report prepared by Cushman &amp; Wakefield. According to the report, investment volume in the European nursing home sector reached EUR 16.1 billion in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The largest share of this amount was generated by the UK market, which accounted for EUR 11.8 billion. However, the authors of the report point out that investor activity also increased significantly when the United Kingdom is excluded. Compared with 2024, it almost doubled, mainly thanks to a rebound in the Nordic countries. Even after excluding both the UK and the Nordic countries, investment activity increased by around 20%.<\/p>\n<p>Against this backdrop, Poland and the broader Central and Eastern European region remain markets with a large supply gap. In Poland, there are fewer than 10 beds in facilities adapted for long-term care for every 100 people aged over 80.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#The_sector_returns_to_stability_after_a_period_of_uncertainty\" >The sector returns to stability after a period of uncertainty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#Capital_is_returning_to_the_market_but_investors_are_more_selective\" >Capital is returning to the market, but investors are more selective<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#Demographics_remain_the_main_source_of_demand\" >Demographics remain the main source of demand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#Poland_has_one_of_the_lowest_levels_of_nursing_home_bed_availability\" >Poland has one of the lowest levels of nursing home bed availability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#The_private_market_may_gain_importance\" >The private market may gain importance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/ageing-population-drives-demand-for-nursing-homes-in-europe-as-sector-investment-reaches-eur-16-1-billion-92764\/#ESG_increasingly_important_for_investors_and_operators\" >ESG increasingly important for investors and operators<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_sector_returns_to_stability_after_a_period_of_uncertainty\"><\/span>The sector returns to stability after a period of uncertainty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The year 2025 brought an improvement in the operating situation of the European nursing home sector. Most countries recorded an increase in occupancy, while operators reported more predictable margins. Market consolidation also continued. According to Cushman &amp; Wakefield, private operators currently account for around 40% of available nursing home beds in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>From an investor perspective, the sector\u2019s fundamentals remain stable. Prime capitalisation rates for the best assets generally stabilised in 2025. In mature markets, they remained close to 5.00\u20135.10%. In France and Finland, they stood at around 5.00%, while in Germany they reached 5.10%. In Southern Europe, particularly in Italy and Portugal, they remained higher, at around 5.75%. In Sweden and the Netherlands, meanwhile, the first signs of yield compression were visible, to around 4.10% and 4.75%, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter several years of uncertainty, the sector is returning to a path of stability, both operationally and from an investment perspective. We are seeing an improvement in fundamentals, but also a clear change in investors\u2019 approach \u2014 today, the quality of assets, the strength of the operator and the long-term sustainability of cash flows are of key importance,\u201d says Karolina Furma\u0144ska, Associate, Living Sector, Cushman &amp; Wakefield.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Capital_is_returning_to_the_market_but_investors_are_more_selective\"><\/span>Capital is returning to the market, but investors are more selective<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After three years of declining investment volumes in continental Europe, activity in the sector has begun to recover. The total value of investments in 2025 amounted to EUR 16.1 billion. The United Kingdom played a particularly important role, accounting for almost 75% of total European volumes. In that market, capital from the United States dominated, representing nearly 90% of transaction activity.<\/p>\n<p>The return of capital is also visible in the greater activity of international investors and improving financing conditions. At the same time, the market has become more demanding. Investors are focusing primarily on assets that meet high operational and environmental standards. Facilities that do not meet profitability or ESG criteria are being assessed more cautiously.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are seeing liquidity return, but in a more demanding environment, as investment criteria are now much more rigorous than before the slowdown,\u201d adds Katarzyna Lipka, Head of Strategic Consulting &amp; ESG Advisory at Cushman &amp; Wakefield.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Demographics_remain_the_main_source_of_demand\"><\/span>Demographics remain the main source of demand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Demographic trends remain the most important factor supporting the development of the nursing home market. According to data cited in the report, at the beginning of 2025 the European Union had a population of 450.4 million. The share of the population aged 65 and over increased across all EU countries from 16.4% to 21.6%.<\/p>\n<p>The group of people aged 80 and over is growing even faster. Its share of the population increased from 3.8% to 6.1% between 2004 and 2024 and is expected to reach around 15.3% by 2050. This means growing demand for professional long-term care services, in both the public and private sectors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the same time, the demographic dependency ratio, which compares the number of older people with the working-age population, is also rising. It is expected to increase from 34.4% at the beginning of 2025 to as much as 50.4% in 2050, meaning that there will be fewer than two working adults for every older person,\u201d explains Ewa Derlatka-Chilewicz, Head of Research at Cushman &amp; Wakefield.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Poland_has_one_of_the_lowest_levels_of_nursing_home_bed_availability\"><\/span>Poland has one of the lowest levels of nursing home bed availability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Poland, and more broadly the Central and Eastern European region, remain markets with a clear shortage of long-term care infrastructure. The provision ratio, calculated as the number of beds relative to the population aged over 80, stands at 9.5% in Poland. This is one of the lowest levels in Europe, alongside Italy, where the ratio is 9%, and the Czech Republic, at 11.9%.<\/p>\n<p>According to Statistics Poland, around 1.6 million people aged 80 and over currently live in Poland. By 2040, this number is expected to exceed 3 million. This means further growth in demand for professional long-term care and the need to develop modern senior care infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPoland has a different market structure, where the private sector manages only around 22% of beds, while in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Italy, private operators control between 75% and 85% of the market. The sector in Poland is highly fragmented, with only two major institutional operators present. The lowest availability of infrastructure is recorded in the Wielkopolskie and Lubelskie regions, which points to significant potential for new investment,\u201d explains Karolina Furma\u0144ska.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_private_market_may_gain_importance\"><\/span>The private market may gain importance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The specific nature of the Polish market results from systemic and historical conditions, including the care financing model and the role of the family in caring for older people. However, as the population ages, demand for institutionalised forms of care can be expected to grow.<\/p>\n<p>This may support the development of the private sector and the inflow of foreign capital. According to Cushman &amp; Wakefield, in 2025 investors from France, the United Kingdom and the United States began to show renewed interest in the Polish market.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPoland and the CEE region are currently at an earlier stage of market development than Western Europe, which on the one hand means greater systemic challenges, but on the other \u2014 much greater growth potential. The scale of the shortage of modern infrastructure, combined with the rapid ageing of society, will lead in the coming years to the gradual professionalisation of the market and a growing role for private operators. We are already seeing the first signs of this process \u2014 increasing investor interest, greater transaction activity and the gradual development of operator platforms. In the long term, Poland may become one of the key growth markets in Europe in this segment,\u201d says Ewa Derlatka-Chilewicz.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ESG_increasingly_important_for_investors_and_operators\"><\/span>ESG increasingly important for investors and operators<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Environmental criteria are also playing an increasingly important role in the development of the nursing home market. ESG affects both investment strategies and transaction decisions. According to the Deepki index, the European nursing home sector recorded an average reduction in energy consumption of 7.48% in 2023, making it one of the real estate segments standing out in terms of efficiency improvements.<\/p>\n<p>However, average primary energy consumption in the sector is 292 kWhPE\/sqm. This is still well above the threshold of 177 kWhPE\/sqm required for the best assets compliant with the EU taxonomy. The greatest challenges concern Italy, where average consumption is 353 kWhPE\/sqm, and France, at 340 kWhPE\/sqm. The lowest average consumption was recorded in Germany, at 225 kWhPE\/sqm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn practice, the growing importance of sustainability issues in investment decisions means an increasing focus on modernising existing facilities and greater selectivity in assets already at the stage of building an investment portfolio. Operators, however, will have to face higher operating costs and growing regulatory pressure, while the ability to improve cost efficiency will be crucial for their market position. At the same time, strong demographic demand and the structural shortage of modern, future-proof infrastructure will continue to form the basis of the sector\u2019s long-term attractiveness for institutional investors. In Poland, given the stage of market development we are currently at, we have an opportunity to build a modern senior care home base adapted to ESG requirements,\u201d concludes Katarzyna Lipka.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rising demand for long-term care services, improved operating performance among operators and the return of investment capital are the main conclusions of the \u201cMarketbeat Nursing Home in Europe 2026\u201d report prepared by Cushman &amp; Wakefield. According to the report, investment volume in the European nursing home sector reached EUR 16.1 billion in 2025. The largest [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2795,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8],"tags":[2788,151,62,3121,47,3832,280,2690,283,284,4602,78,355,64,285,282,333,130],"class_list":["post-5511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-real-estate","tag-continental","tag-cushman-wakefield","tag-czech-republic","tag-esg","tag-european-union","tag-ewa-derlatka-chilewicz","tag-finland","tag-gap","tag-ireland","tag-italy","tag-karolina-furmanska","tag-katarzyna-lipka","tag-netherlands","tag-poland","tag-portugal","tag-sweden","tag-united-kingdom","tag-western-europe"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceo.com.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}