The Direct Real Estate Activities industry have come up against numerous headwinds in recent years, ranging from the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 to the high base rate environment in the years since, which has inflated borrowing costs for potential buyers. This is a sharp contrast to the ultra-low interest environment seen over the decade following the 2008 financial crisis. Still, revenue is forecast to edge upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.6% over the five years through 2025 to €622.9 billion, including an anticipated rise of 0.8% in 2025. Despite weak revenue growth, profitability remains strong, with the average industry profit margin standing at an estimated 18.9% in 2025. Central banks across Europe adopted aggressive monetary policy in the two years through 2023 in an effort to curb spiralling inflation. This ratcheted up borrowing costs and hit the real estate sector. In the residential property market, mortgage rates picked up and hit housing transaction levels. However, the level of mortgage rate hikes has varied across Europe, with the UK experiencing the largest rise, meaning the dent to UK real estate demand was more pronounced. Commercial real estate has also struggled due to inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions and rising rates. Alongside this, the market’s stock of office space isn’t able to satisfy business demand, with companies placing a greater emphasis on high-quality space and environmental impact. Properties in many areas haven't been suitable due to their lack of green credentials. Nevertheless, things are looking up, as interest rates have been falling across Europe over the two years through 2025, reducing borrowing costs and boosting the number of property transactions, which is aiding revenue growth for estate agents. Revenue is slated to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.5% over the five years through 2030 to €777.6 billion. Economic conditions are set to improve in the short term, which will boost consumer and business confidence, ramping up the number of property transactions in both the residential and commercial real estate markets. However, estate agents may look to adjust their offerings to align with the data centre boom to soak up the demand from this market, while also adhering to sustainability commitments.

Companies operating in the third-party real estate industry have had to navigate numerous economic headwinds in recent years, notably rising interest rates, spiralling inflation and muted economic growth. Revenue is projected to sink at a compound annual rate of 0.6% over the five years through 2025, including an estimated jump of 1.2% in 2025 to €207.6 billion, while the average industry profit margin is forecast to reach 35.1%. Amid spiralling inflation, central banks across Europe ratcheted up interest rates, resulting in borrowing costs skyrocketing over the two years through 2023. In residential markets, elevated mortgage rates combined with tightening credit conditions eventually ate into demand, inciting a drop in house prices. Rental markets performed well when house prices were elevated (2021-2023), being the cheaper alternative for cash-strapped buyers. However, even lessors felt the pinch of rising mortgage rates, forcing them to hoist rent prices to cover costs and pricing out potential buyers. This led to a slowdown in rental markets in 2023, weighing on revenue growth. However, this has started to turn around in 2025 as interest rates have been falling across Europe in the two years through 2025, reducing borrowing costs for buyers and boosting property transactions. This has helped revenue to rebound slightly in 2025 as estate agents earn commission from property transactions. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.7% over the five years through 2030 to €249.5 billion. Housing prices are recovering in 2025 as fixed-rate mortgages begin to drop and economic uncertainty subsides, aiding revenue growth in the short term. Over the coming years, PropTech—technology-driven innovations designed to improve and streamline the real estate industry—will force estate agents to adapt, shaking up the traditional real estate sector. A notable application of PropTech is the use of AI and data analytics to predict a home’s future value and speed up the process of retrofitting properties to become more sustainable.

Key information about House Prices Growth

• Cyprus house prices grew 6.5% YoY in Sep 2024, following an increase of 8.0% YoY in the previous quarter.
• YoY growth data is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2007 to Sep 2024, with an average growth rate of 0.9%.
• House price data reached an all-time high of 25.3% in Sep 2007 and a record low of -9.4% in Mar 2014.

Building contractors and developers depend on various socio-economic factors, including property values, underlying sentiment in the housing market, the degree of optimism among downstream businesses and credit conditions. All of these drivers typically track in line with economic sentiment, with recent economic shocks spurring a difficult period for building contractors and developers. Nonetheless, the enduring need for building services, particularly to tackle housing shortages across the continent, ensures a strong foundation of work. Revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.3% to reach €1.3 trillion over the five years through 2025. Operational and supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic reversed the fortunes of building contractors and developers in 2020, as on-site activity tumbled and downstream clients either cancelled, froze or scaled back investment plans. Aided by the release of pent-up demand and supportive government policy, building construction output rebounded in 2021. Excess demand for key raw materials led to extended lead times during this period, while input costs recorded a further surge as a result of the effects of rapidly climbing energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Soaring construction costs and the impact of interest rate hikes on both the housing market and investor sentiment led to a renewed slowdown in building construction activity across the continent. However, falling inflation and the start of an interest rate cutting cycle have spurred signs of a recovery in new work volumes, supporting anticipated revenue growth of 2.3% in 2025. Revenue is forecast to increase at a compound annual rate of 6.7% to €1.7 trillion over the five years through 2030. Activity is set to remain sluggish in the medium term, as weak economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the impact of the volatile global tariff environment on inflation and borrowing costs continue to weigh on investor sentiment. Contractors and developers will increasingly rely on public sector support, including measures to boost the supply of new housing, as countries seek to tackle severe housing shortages. Meanwhile, the introduction of more stringent sustainability requirements will drive demand for energy retrofits.

The size of the Greece Property And Casualty Insurance Market was valued at USD 7.60 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 9.78 Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 3.67% during the forecast period. The Greece property and casualty insurance industry plays a crucial role in the country's financial landscape, providing coverage against a range of risks associated with property damage and liability. This sector encompasses various types of insurance products, including homeowners insurance, automobile insurance, commercial property insurance, and liability coverage. With a growing economy and increased focus on risk management, the industry has evolved to meet the diverse needs of both individuals and businesses. In recent years, the demand for property and casualty insurance in Greece has been driven by factors such as rising property values, increased vehicle ownership, and a heightened awareness of the importance of financial protection. The industry is characterized by a mix of local and international insurers, which fosters competition and innovation in product offerings. Regulatory frameworks established by the Bank of Greece and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) ensure that insurers maintain adequate reserves and operate transparently, enhancing consumer confidence. Recent developments include: December 2022: European Reliance and Allianz Greece announced the formation of an Executive Committee (ExCom) to oversee their joint expansion journey and facilitate the effective integration of the two companies. The composition of the ExCom members has been carefully chosen with the primary goal of ensuring a seamless integration process.., February 2022: The European Commission unconditionally cleared the acquisition of Ethniki Hellenic General Insurance Company S.A. of Greece by CVC Capital Partners SICAV FIS S.A. of Luxemburg. Ethniki offers life and non-life insurance services, insurance distribution, and reinsurance services in Cyprus, Greece, and Romania. CVC and its subsidiaries manage investment funds and platforms and control many companies, including the Hellenic Healthcare Group, which offers private hospital services in Cyprus and Greece.. Key drivers for this market are: Digitalization is Driving the Market. Potential restraints include: Economic Disparities are Restraining the Market. Notable trends are: Technological Advancements are Driving the Market.

Over the five years through 2024, IP leasing revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 4.5% to €29.7 billion. IP leasing demand has benefitted from increasing technological complexity in vehicles, software and pharmaceuticals. Tax incentives have also driven up IP leasing by reducing the R&D costs, thereby cutting the prices charged for leasing IP. Demand from the radio frequency spectrum leasing market has surged thanks to the rollout of 5G across the majority of European geographies. However, IP leasing demand slumped at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused business confidence and research and development spending to tumble. Revenue has since bounced back, though, and is slated to swell by 0.2% in 2024 as European businesses continue to realise the benefits of leasing IP rather than developing it themselves. Revenue is forecast to surge at a compound annual rate of 4.8% over the five years through 2029, reaching €37.7 billion. Rising research and development expenditure across Europe will boost the pool of registered designs, patents and trademarks available in the market, fuelling revenue growth. European business and consumer sentiment is projected to strengthen moving forward, supporting demand for IP leasing. The ongoing trend of technological manufacturers across Europe becoming fabless will also drive up the need for leasing IP.

The industry includes the renting and leasing of goods like automobiles, computers, consumer goods and industrial machinery and equipment to customers in return for a lease or rent payment. Services are broken down into the renting of motor vehicles, the renting of recreational and sports equipment and household equipment, the leasing of other machinery and equipment for business operations and the leasing of intellectual property products.

Comprehensive Airbnb dataset for Paralimni, Cyprus providing detailed vacation rental analytics including property listings, pricing trends, host information, review sentiment analysis, and occupancy rates for short-term rental market intelligence and investment research.

Comprehensive Airbnb dataset for Paphos Municipality, Cyprus providing detailed vacation rental analytics including property listings, pricing trends, host information, review sentiment analysis, and occupancy rates for short-term rental market intelligence and investment research.

The European legal services industry is in a phase of consolidation, signified by a surge in both intranational and international M&A activity. This is as firms aim to expand into new markets and enhance specialisation amid intense competition and growing client expectations. Legal service providers benefit from demand from households and businesses across all sectors of the economy, limiting revenue volatility. The provision of countercyclical services like advising on restructuring and insolvency issues has helped support revenue from the corporate market during volatile economic conditions. Industry revenue is projected to expand at a compound annual rate of 1.5% to €234.2 billion over the five years through 2025, including a 3.3% hike in 2025. The corporate law service industry has been adversely affected by fluctuating economic conditions. M&A activity and business expansionary activity rebounded strongly in the two years through 2022, driving demand for corporate law work. However, a severe inflationary environment and geopolitical tensions have heightened economic uncertainty, hindering revenue growth. Despite some businesses having in-house legal teams, many businesses continue to outsource complex legal needs to external expert legal professionals, creating a consistent revenue inflow for law firms. Faced with client demands for greater cost transparency, law firms are increasingly adopting fixed-fee billing models. Competitive pressures, investment in technology and staff costs have weighed on profitability over the past five years. Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 7.9% to €342.6 billion over the five years through 2030. Anticipated improvements in economic conditions, including easing inflation and revived business sentiment, should drive renewed demand for commercial legal services. At the same time, growing regulatory complexity (like ESG mandates, AI legislation and data privacy) will sustain the need for specialist expertise, benefitting firms focusing on these niches as they can command premium fees. Driven by the need to scale, diversify and tap into new markets, both intranational and international M&A activity is expected to continue, with larger firms seeking to acquire specialist boutiques and expand their international footprints to better serve cross-border clients. Technological advancements offer further opportunities for legal services as they enable greater efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and allowing firms to deliver more valuable, tech-driven solutions. However, competition will continue to intensify, providing some threats to legal services providers.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, weak economic conditions have deterred new investment into the construction sector as businesses have sought to preserve cash amid an inflationary economic environment, leading to the postponement and even cancellation of large construction projects. This has restricted the number of opportunities in the new building construction market. However, consumers have increased spending on repair, maintenance and renovation activities, supporting other revenue opportunities for building completion and finishing contractors, supporting an uptick in revenue. Revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.1% over the five years through 2024 to reach €328 billion. Significant inflationary pressures have led to retaliatory hikes to the central banks’ base interest rate, increasing the cost of borrowing. This has limited the number of new construction projects and also caused the housing market to cool as would-be home buyers are priced out of mortgages. In turn, property developers have reduced output, and consumers have managed spending budgets with greater care, increasing the threat from DIY. As such, revenue is forecast to sink by a further 2.3% in 2024 to €328 billion. Over the five years through 2029, revenue is projected to climb at a compound annual rate of 4% to reach €399.3 billion, supported by recovering economic conditions and renewed investment into the construction sector. As sentiment levels return to growth and the inflation rate eases, businesses and consumers will be more likely to undertake larger projects, supporting demand for building completion and finishing services.

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Plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.2% over the five years through 2025 to €273.6 billion. The revenue of plumbing and HVAC contractors is closely tied to construction sector cycles and generally aligns with broader economic and investment trends. Since the pandemic, weak economic conditions, highlighted by rampant inflation and supply chain disruptions, have driven up construction material costs, squeezing investment budgets, particularly in the commercial market, as customers aim to conserve cash. Also, persistent inflationary pressures have further constrained revenue opportunities as central banks have raised base rates, leading to increased borrowing costs and further restricting new investments in construction. In 2024, inflated interest rates are expected to continue to weigh on the housing market, contributing to weaker house prices and hindering demand from residential property developers. Nonetheless, demand from infrastructure construction and utility companies will remain resilient due to the essential nature of plumbing and HVAC systems. This will also keep demand for repair and maintenance services from the commercial market fairly strong, especially where these systems are business-critical. In 2025, although inflation is easing and central banks are reducing interest rates, economic uncertainty persists due to ongoing supply chain issues that continue to drive up construction project costs, limiting revenue potential for industry contractors. Despite these challenges, the push for building decarbonisation is creating significant income opportunities for heat pump installers. Revenue is forecast to increase by 2.5% in 2025. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 6.4% to €372.6 billion. Easing inflationary pressures will translate into recovering economic sentiment, supporting renewed demand from commercial and residential clients alike. Continue public investment into infrastructure projects and public buildings, like schools and hospitals, will also support demand for plumbing and HVAC installation services. The provision of repair and maintenance services is also slated to remain healthy. Driven by the EU Green Deal’s targets, HVAC companies will continue to innovate their services, providing more energy-efficient solutions.

Hardware and home improvement stores’ revenue is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 1.4% over the five years through 2024 to reach €155.8 billion. Private spending on home renovation and maintenance, construction activity, environmental awareness and the number of households each play their part in determining sales. The EU and the UK enjoyed a housing market boom prior to 2023, when soaring mortgage rates deterred many from buying a new house. While demand for outfitting new houses is down, more Europeans are turning to repair, maintenance and renovation work on their existing properties, helping to raise sales of hardware and home improvement products. This trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people confined to their homes looked to refresh their surroundings and found themselves with more time to dedicate to DIY projects. Hardware and home improvement stores were deemed by many governments as essential businesses, allowing them to remain open during the lockdowns. In 2024, revenue growth is expected to be constrained by the cost-of-living crisis. Shoppers are increasingly price-sensitive and many are thinking twice before spending in response to intense inflationary pressures, cutting sales for many hardware and home improvement stores. Price inflation is expected to outweigh falling sales volumes, leading to revenue growth of 1% in 2024. Over the five years through 2029, hardware and home improvement stores’ revenue is slated to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.5% to reach €168 billion. Ever-growing levels of environmental awareness among Europeans will drive strong demand for sustainably sourced and energy-efficient products, like reclaimed wood and lithium-ion battery-powered hand tools. Competition from online-only retailers will continue to heat up, forcing hardware and home improvement stores to expand their in-store offerings to attract customers – augmented reality stations where shoppers can visualise their new products in their homes are one way retailers can try to do this.

Revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.1% over the five years through 2025 to €291.2 billion. Electrical contractors serve the construction sector, so procyclical commercial and residential construction trends influence revenue prospects. Hence, economic uncertainty associated with rampant inflationary pressures and reduced budgets has caused year-on-year revenue volatility for the Electricians industry. Weak economic conditions have restricted the number of new projects coming to fruition, hindering the number of big-ticket tender opportunities available for electricians to bid for and obtain. Businesses have remained cautious amid an uncertain economic outlook, opting to preserve cash and postpone or cancel significant construction projects. Over the two years through 2024, inflationary pressures have persisted and retaliatory increases to the base rate have ballooned the cost of borrowing. Despite public funding and support for new residential properties, a cooling housing market has limited demand from property developers. In 2024, as inflation began to ease, central banks responded by lowering interest rates to support economic growth. This move has encouraged property and commercial building investors to initiate construction and renovation projects, thereby boosting opportunities for electricians to bid for new contracts. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties that continue to challenge revenue prospects, the push for net-zero emissions has significantly bolstered demand for energy-efficient electrical systems. This shift is diversifying and enhancing the demand for new electrical installations. Revenue is expected to climb by 1.2% in 2025. As inflationary pressures subside and business and consumer sentiment rebound, revenue prospects will grow and more large tender opportunities will come to fruition. Businesses will increase spending budgets in line with recovering economic conditions and recovering house prices will spur new opportunities in the residential market, contributing to a recovery in income. Ongoing efforts to achieve carbon neutrality will continue to drive innovation in the industry and prompt electricians to upskill to ensure they can delivery energy-efficient electrical solutions to clients. Revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 5.3% over the five years through 2030 to €377.6 billion.

Revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 4.3% over the five years through 2025 to €27.1 billion. Construction companies and property developers rely on demolition contractors to dismantle outdated structures during the pre-construction phase of development. The performance of the demolition industry is closely aligned with trends in commercial and residential construction, as well as the broader economic climate. In recent years, demolition activity across Europe has been sluggish, severely impacted by disruptions in construction work caused by the pandemic and the subsequent inflationary pressures that have slowed construction output. Revenue prospects for demolition companies have been hindered by weak economic conditions and significant inflationary pressures. In response to mounting inflation, central banks have hiked interest rates, increasing the cost of borrowing. This has weighed on new work, especially residential and commercial construction, limiting new revenue opportunities for demolition contractors. Despite these challenges, revenue in the demolition industry has been bolstered by long-term public sector infrastructure projects, supported by funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Investment Bank. Also, decommissioning targets have provided further opportunities, as European countries work to phase out coal-powered plants and decommission nuclear sites to achieve sustainability goals. In 2025, revenue is forecast to climb by 4.9%. Revenue is slated to expand at a compound annual rate of 9.4% to €42.4 billion over the five years through 2030. Recovering economic conditions will spur demand for new construction projects, creating a greater need for demolition services to prepare sites for construction. Easing inflationary pressures will spur central banks to slash interest rates, making borrowing more affordable. With a housing shortage crisis across Europe, governments will push to redevelop brownfield sites, which will provide strong income opportunities for the industry, Also, the decommissioning of older energy production facilities will also support revenue.

Employment placement agencies in Europe’s revenue is anticipated to contract at a compound annual rate of 3.2% over the five years through 2024 to €47.8 billion. The COVID-19 outbreak tanked business confidence and expansion plans because of economic uncertainty after months of global lockdowns, forcing hiring freezes in a tricky time for employment agencies. 2022 marked a resurgence for agencies. According to Eurostat data, employment in the EU reached a record peak of 74.6% in 2022, with unemployment falling month-on-month to 5.9% in August 2023. Companies enjoyed a post-COVID-19 boom in hiring, as the economy reopened and company’s began to look to expand thanks to improved business confidence which kept employment agencies busy. The labour market has proved resilient against the economic background of rising interest rates and high inflation but remains tight with several unfilled vacancies. Vacancies remain well above pre-pandemic levels but have steadily dipped from the sharp rise post-COVID-19 as companies unfroze hiring decisions, indicating a skills mismatch between job seekers and roles that agencies are struggling to negotiate. Several countries attempt to address long-standing labour shortages to ameliorate professional mobility and offer training courses for in-demand skills through agencies. France, for example, is addressing youth unemployment through upskilling training programmes. Public sector hiring in Germany and Spain in health and education also pushes revenue growth for agencies compared to stunted private sector demand. Revenue is expected to slump by 1.3% in 2024 amid job cuts in the technology sector. Revenue is projected to swell at a compound annual rate of 4.3% over the five years through 2029 to reach €58.9 billion. Agencies will continue to target revenue growth by elevating their online presence, specialising their services towards more niche sectors and targeting executives and upper management positions. Technological developments remain a threat to recruiters, with HR AI systems like Paradox able to scan networking platforms such as LinkedIn for candidates. Companies’ in-house HR teams are expanding too. The sustainability sector looks to be a hot property job market to target, but potential shortages in both high and low-skilled occupations driven by employment growth in STEM professions and healthcare will create hurdles in the hiring process in other sectors.