India’s Realty Sector Poised for a Trillion-Dollar Future

A New Era for Indian Real Estate

As India cements its status as the world’s fourth-largest economy, its real estate sector stands on the brink of a transformative decade. According to Shekhar G Patel, President of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), the industry—currently valued at around $320 billion—is projected to soar to $1 trillion by 2030. This remarkable growth will be fueled by robust demand across residential, commercial, co-living, senior housing, and rental asset segments, marking a defining chapter for India’s urban and economic landscape.

Resilience and Recovery: The Road Ahead

Despite global headwinds and periodic market consolidation, India’s real estate sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Patel is optimistic that the market will rebound strongly by July–August 2025, setting the stage for sustained long-term growth. The sector’s contribution to India’s GDP, which stood at a modest 1.8–2% in 2012, has risen to 8.4% today and is expected to surpass 10% by 2030. This trajectory aligns with India’s broader ambition to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

Drivers of Growth: From Homes to Workspaces

The residential segment remains the backbone of India’s real estate, with affordable and mid-segment housing emerging as long-term growth drivers. Meanwhile, the commercial sector continues to gain momentum, buoyed by the expansion of India’s service sector—which now accounts for over 55% of GDP. The rise of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Small and Medium REITs (SMREITs) is further catalyzing investment and development, while innovative formats like co-living and co-working spaces are redefining urban living and working.

A Five-Pillar Vision for the Future

• Skilling the Workforce: Scaling up training programs to equip 1 lakh workers annually with certified, on-site skills.
• Sustainability and Reforestation: Championing large-scale reforestation efforts in ecologically sensitive zones and developing a green building certification framework.
• Affordable Housing Advocacy: Pushing for reforms to update the definition of affordable housing and introducing credit guarantee schemes for homebuyers.
• Digitization and Data Analytics: Harnessing technology to drive transparency, efficiency, and smarter decision-making.
• Ease of Doing Business: Advocating for streamlined project approvals and the adoption of precast and prefabrication technologies to accelerate development.

Technology and Sustainability: Catalysts for Change

The integration of PropTech solutions—such as AI-driven project management, 3D printing, and prefabrication—is revolutionizing construction, addressing skilled labor shortages, and reducing delivery timelines. CREDAI is at the forefront of this digital transformation, championing the adoption of modern technologies across its developer ecosystem. On the sustainability front, the organization is committed to offsetting the environmental impact of growth through ambitious reforestation initiatives, including a 9,000-acre project in Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) and a broader goal to develop 1 lakh acres of forest over the next five years.

A Vision of Inclusive, Sustainable Growth

As India’s real estate sector embarks on this transformative journey, the focus remains on fostering inclusive growth, sustainable development, and technological innovation. With a clear roadmap and unwavering optimism, CREDAI and its members are poised to redefine the future of urban living, creating vibrant communities and driving India’s economic ascent.