For years, life sciences and healthcare have been sought-after sectors that have gone from strength to strength. But with real estate in general under pressure due to stubbornly high interest rates, a liquidity gridlock and low transaction volumes, investors are now wondering whether the cyclical downturn will alter the outlook for these property types as well.

Several fundamental reasons point in the opposite direction, however, highlighting the opportunities in these niche segments. Life sciences and healthcare real estate have basic characteristics that set them apart from other property types and give them resilience. Their strength, which we can already see in the current market environment, is based on long-term and highly predictable demand based on what could be called the “great demographic opportunity”.

Ever since the work of the English economist Thomas Malthus in the 19th century, we have known that demographic trends are not only stable, but also predi