Resources Demand • Global Analysis

The Flexible Shift: How Coworking Space Usage, Pricing, and Booking Patterns Evolved from 2016 to 2026

A look at the history and trends of coworking & flexible workspaces across all markets.

Last data update: June 2026

This report will help you understand

Evolution from 2016

How has the fexible workspace industry evolved from 2016 to today?

Market characteristics

The similarities and differences between markets.

Resource usage

How have the resources and their use by the users of these spaces evolved?

Workspace sizes

The distinguishing characteristics of fexible workspaces of different sizes.

Pandemic effect

The effect of the pandemic on the industry and its current situation.

Section 1

How has the ratio of members per resource evolved?

Over the past decade, the number of members per resource in coworking spaces has changed in different ways depending on company size. Smaller companies saw this ratio rise before drifting back down to early levels, while medium and large companies saw a gradual decline in members per resource over time.

By region, Spain climbed to a higher plateau before flattening out, while the UK has seen a steady decline in members per resource. In the US, demand dropped during pandemic restrictions but has since recovered back toward pre-lockdown levels.

Key findings

Largest operators’ members per resource saturation halves

Large coworking companies saw average members per resource fall from around 40 in early 2016 to just over 20 by mid-2026.

Mid-sized firms’ members per resource ratios plunge

Mid-sized operators’ members per resource declined from about 30 in 2016 to the mid-teens by 2026.

UK member-to-resource ratios decline over decade

The UK market’s average members per resource fell from roughly 20 in early 2016 to about 15 by mid-2026.

Mean members per resource by location

Smaller coworking companies saw their average members per resource rise from about three in early 2016 to nearly four by late 2018, then ease back to around three by mid-2026. Mid-sized operators started around thirty members per resource but gradually dropped to the mid-teens over the same period. The largest companies followed a similar pattern, falling from close to forty members per resource at the start to just over twenty by 2026.

In Spain, the average climbed past eleven by 2018 and later settled near ten. The UK market eased from roughly twenty members per resource in early 2016 down to about fifteen by mid-2026. US spaces saw a drop during lockdown but have since regained ground toward pre-pandemic levels.

Section 2

How has the number of bookings evolved?

Over the past eight years, bookings at coworking companies of all sizes followed a steady seasonal pattern that was sharply interrupted in spring 2020. Small, medium, and large companies alike hit their lowest monthly counts during the first wave, then bounced back strongly, pushing total bookings past previous highs by late 2024. Major markets like Spain, the UK, and the US all followed this same trend, pointing to a synchronized global rebound in demand.

Alongside these volume shifts, the mix of booked spaces changed too. Traditional meeting rooms, once more than half of all bookings, gave way to more flexible options. Hot-desks grew their share, while conference rooms and private booths took on more specialized, smaller roles, reflecting a broader shift toward flexible layouts and varied seating.

Key findings

Largest operators outpace pre-pandemic peaks

The biggest coworking firms rebounded from about 25 bookings at the 2020 low to over 400 by early 2022.

Global major markets recover unevenly

By mid-2024, the UK led with over 210 monthly bookings per operator, while the US trailed around 120.

Flexible offerings surge as meeting rooms decline

Meeting rooms fell from roughly 65% of bookings in 2017 to under 40% by mid-2026 as hot-desks peaked near 17% in 2022.

Bookings across companies of different sizes showed a clear seasonal cycle alongside a dramatic pandemic dip and strong recovery. Small operators averaged around 30 bookings in early 2016, fell to about 13 during the spring 2020 downturn, then climbed past 75 by late 2024. Medium-sized companies followed the same path, dipping sharply before recovering past their previous peaks. The largest groups dropped to roughly 25 bookings at the pandemic low, then soared past 400 by early 2022.

All three major markets saw bookings fall below 20 per operator in spring 2020. By mid-2024, Spain reached nearly 200 monthly bookings per company, the UK topped 210, and the US recovered to approximately 120–125 bookings per coworking.

How types of resources have evolved from 2016 to 2026

Meeting rooms started as the dominant resource, at roughly two-thirds of bookings in early 2016, peaking around sixty-five percent in 2017. They dropped below half during the first pandemic wave, recovered to nearly half (around 48–50%) in 2021, then trended back down to under forty percent by mid-2026. Conference rooms saw a steady decline too, falling from about twenty percent of bookings in 2016 to around eight percent by 2026.

Meanwhile, flexible options gained ground. Hot-desk bookings rose from roughly two percent in 2016 to a peak near seventeen percent in 2022, before settling around twelve percent by 2026. Smaller booth bookings stayed a niche category, climbing modestly from about one percent to four percent over the period.

Section 3

Has COVID-19 been a turning point in resource consumption patterns?

Booking durations in coworking spaces hit a clear turning point with COVID-19. Companies of all sizes saw a sharp rise in average usage times in early 2020, followed by a steady climb that brought durations to new highs by mid-2026. Regional markets varied in how fast they recovered and grew, showing diverse demand patterns across key territories.

The increase was most pronounced among non-member users, whose bookings kept lengthening throughout the period, while member usage also trended upward, though more moderately. These shifts point to a lasting change in how occasional and regular users engage with coworking spaces, with implications for resource planning and space management globally.

Key findings

Booking Durations Climb to New Highs

After April 2020, average coworking bookings rose from around 170 minutes to over 180 minutes by mid-2026.

Non-Member Bookings Surge Over 230 Minutes

Non-member booking times jumped from roughly 172 minutes to more than 230 minutes by June 2026, far outpacing member growth.

UK Booking Times Exceed 210 Minutes

UK coworking durations increased from about 190 minutes at lockdown to over 210 minutes by mid-2026, faster than US gains.

Across coworking spaces of all sizes, average booking times jumped in April 2020 (small operators rose to about 170 minutes), then climbed steadily to new highs above 180 minutes by mid-2026. In Spain, durations settled around 155 minutes by June 2026 after the pandemic spike. The UK saw a sharper shift, moving from about 190 minutes at lockdown to over 210 minutes by mid-2026, while the US saw a milder increase.

By customer type, non-members spiked to roughly 172 minutes in April 2020 and kept rising to over 230 minutes by June 2026. Members climbed more gradually, from about 152 minutes at the pandemic's start to around 162 minutes by mid-2026, a sustained shift in booking behavior.

Section 4

Booking patterns by country booking based on time of the day; day of the week; and month

Booking demand for seats in coworking spaces follows a clear daily rhythm across major markets, with a strong rush in the early morning that peaks mid-morning before gradually tapering off through the afternoon and nearly disappearing by evening. This morning surge has grown stronger in recent data, pointing to increasing demand for first-shift bookings in several regions.

Across the week, midweek bookings dominate, with the highest activity from Tuesday to Thursday and a sharp drop over the weekend, though some markets keep steadier weekend use. Seasonally, demand rises into spring, dips to a summer low, then rebounds in autumn, reflecting a consistent yearly pattern of resource demand.

Key findings

Morning Booking Peaks Intensify Globally

The UK’s 9 AM booking share climbed above 23 percent, reflecting intensifying morning demand.

Midweek Surge Contrasts Weekend Lull

Spain and the UK see about 24 percent bookings midweek but near zero on weekends, whereas the US holds roughly 4 percent across weekends.

Bookings Peak in March, Bottom in August

Global bookings rise to about 10 percent in March then fall to around 7 percent in August.

Booking distribution by time of the day

In Spain, booking activity climbs sharply from dawn to a single morning peak around nine o'clock, at roughly seventeen percent of daily volume. The UK sees an even stronger nine-o'clock peak, near twenty-one percent, while the US peaks around thirteen percent. In each market, activity tapers off steadily through the afternoon and is almost nonexistent by evening. Recent data show this early-morning peak becoming more pronounced, reaching over twenty-three percent in the UK, a sign of growing demand for first-shift work hours.

Weekly patterns in Spain and the UK center on midweek use: Spain peaks on Tuesday at about twenty-four percent, the UK on Wednesday near twenty-three percent, and both drop to near zero on weekends. The US market is more balanced, holding around fourteen percent on Friday with a modest share through Saturday and Sunday. Seasonally, bookings rise into spring with a global high of nearly ten percent in March, fall to a summer low around seven percent in August, then recover through autumn.

Section 5

Evolution of the average price of booking.

Across coworking companies of different sizes, average price per booking has generally risen over the last decade, with smaller spaces starting at moderate rates, mid-size venues climbing steadily, and the largest ones holding the premium end of the scale. In all three main markets (Spain, the UK, and the US), costs spiked in the early pandemic period before settling into a narrower range by mid-2026, pointing to a global leveling of booking rates. Meanwhile, the share of free hourly bookings moved through distinct phases: a gradual build-up, a clear peak around the end of 2020, and a steady decline into 2026. These shifts show how coworking companies have adjusted their strategies for managing seat demand, balancing promotions against evolving market conditions in the post-pandemic era.

Key findings

Universal Spring 2020 Price Surge

Booking prices across all operator sizes climbed into the mid-30s USD during spring 2020, marking their highest levels since 2016.

Small Firms Slash Free Bookings

Free hourly bookings for small coworking spaces rose from about 15 percent to 24 percent by late 2021 before plunging below 10 percent in 2024.

Midsize Operators’ Free Booking Volatility

Midsize coworkings saw free bookings surge past 30 percent in late 2017 and again at year-end 2021 before settling around 19 percent by mid-2026.

Mean final hourly price

Smaller operators (up to 40 members) began close to thirty, dipped to around twenty by late 2016, then rebounded to thirty over the summer peaks. After a spring 2020 high in the mid-thirties, they settled back near thirty by 2026. Mid-size spaces (40 to 100 members) rose from the low twenties in 2016 to just above thirty by mid-2024, holding around thirty in 2026. The largest companies consistently charged the most, peaking near fifty in 2016 and again in early 2020, before balancing out around forty by mid-2026.

In Spain, the average price started under twenty in 2016, spiked to over forty in April 2020, then hovered in the mid-twenties before rising to almost thirty by 2026. The UK began above forty, fell to the high twenties by mid-2016, saw a pandemic peak near forty in spring 2020, then stabilized in the mid-thirties, ending around thirty-six by mid-2026. The US moved around thirty in 2016, jumped to the mid-thirties in April 2020, climbed into the high thirties by mid-2024, and settled near thirty-three in 2026.

Percentage of zero final hourly price by space size

In small coworking companies (up to 40 members), free hourly bookings began at about 15% in early 2016, rose to roughly 24% in late 2021, then declined to under 10% by 2024. Companies with 41 to 100 members started near 14%, reached close to 28% by mid-2016, and later eased back to the mid-teens around 14% by mid-2026.

Mid-sized operators (101 to 250 members) saw free bookings at about 13% in 2016, climb past 30% in late 2017 and again at year-end 2021, then settle near 19% by mid-2026. The largest coworking companies recorded the lowest early share, surged above 30% at the end of 2020, and held around 27% into mid-2026.

Conclusion

The Flexible Shift: How Coworking Space Usage, Pricing, and Booking Patterns Evolved from 2016 to 2026

Across the past decade, coworking space usage has shifted from fixed, high-density setups toward more flexible, lower-intensity models, with COVID-19 marking the clearest inflection point in nearly every metric.

On resource intensity, mid-size and large operators saw members per resource fall steadily (from roughly 30 to the mid-teens, and from close to 40 to just over 20, respectively), while smaller operators returned to their 2016 baseline of about three after a modest rise. Regionally, Spain settled near ten members per resource and the UK eased from twenty to about fifteen, while the US recovered toward pre-pandemic norms after a pandemic dip.

Booking volume tells a parallel story of disruption and recovery. All company sizes bottomed out in spring 2020 (small operators falling to about 13 monthly bookings, the largest to around 25), then rebounded well past prior peaks by 2022 to 2024, with the largest companies soaring past 400 bookings. By mid-2024, Spain reached nearly 200 monthly bookings per company, the UK topped 210, while the US recovered more modestly to around 120–125. Alongside this recovery, the resource mix shifted meaningfully: meeting rooms dropped from about two thirds of bookings in 2016 to under forty percent by 2026, while hot desks grew from two percent to a 2022 peak near seventeen percent.

Booking duration also shifted permanently upward. Average session lengths jumped during the April 2020 lockdown and kept climbing afterward, small operators exceeding 180 minutes and the UK reaching over 210 minutes by mid-2026. Non-members drove most of this increase, rising from about 172 to over 230 minutes, while members grew more moderately, from about 152 to 162 minutes.

Timing patterns reinforced a concentrated, midweek, first-shift usage pattern: a nine o’clock peak reaching twenty-one to twenty-three percent of daily volume in the UK, Tuesday to Thursday dominance, and a seasonal high in March followed by a summer low in August.

Pricing followed a similar arc of pandemic-driven volatility settling into a higher, steadier band: average hourly prices across all sizes and regions spiked in 2020 before converging near thirty to forty by 2026. Free hourly bookings, used heavily as a demand lever right after the pandemic (peaking above thirty percent for large operators in late 2020), have since declined toward the high teens as normal demand returned.

Together, these trends describe an industry that emerged from COVID-19 using space less intensively but more frequently, favoring flexible formats over fixed ones, concentrating demand into fewer peak hours, and charging steadily higher, more stable prices, a structural shift rather than a temporary pandemic effect.

ANALYSIS PER MARKET

US, UK And Spain

A comprehensive analysis of reservation patterns in coworking and flex workspaces in the United States, United Kingdom and Spain.