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Challenges in Real Estate Recruitment: Insights from Ielove Group

Introduction

In a recent survey conducted by Ielove Group, a company that specializes in digital transformation support for the real estate sector, alarming trends concerning recruitment in this industry have emerged. The survey gathered responses from 186 real estate companies, shedding light on the average age of employees and the difficulties in attracting younger talent.

Age Demographics in Real Estate

The survey revealed that 36.6% of employees in the real estate industry are in their 40s. When respondents were asked to estimate the average age of their workforce, the breakdown was as follows:

• - 20s: 5.9%
• - 30s: 30.1%
• - 40s: 36.6%
• - 50s: 21.5%
• - 60s and above: 5.9%

From these findings, it is clear that professionals in their 30s and 40s constitute the majority of the workforce. The data underscores a growing concern around the slowly aging workforce, as the industry grapples with a significant shortage of younger talent.

Recruitment Challenges

When it comes to hiring, many companies are facing critical challenges. According to the survey results, the most prominent issues affecting recruitment are:

• - Lack of candidates (27.3%)
• - Low application rates among younger people (18.4%)

The survey also noted a division in hiring attitudes among real estate companies:

• - Actively hiring: 21.0%
• - Hiring as needed: 28.5%
• - Not hiring much: 12.9%
• - No plans to hire: 37.6%

While a portion of firms is eager to hire and actively searching for new talent, a significant number are either hesitant to recruit or have halted hiring altogether. This indicates a concerning dichotomy in the industry regarding recruitment strategies and policies.

The Youth Mismatch

Perhaps the most striking revelation of this survey is the structural issues within the workforce. The combination of a lack of available job seekers and decreased interest from younger candidates in pursuing careers in real estate poses a unique challenge. Additionally, competition from other industries in terms of salaries and working conditions exacerbates this issue, making it increasingly difficult to attract new talent.

Future Hiring Strategies

When participants in the survey were asked whether they planned to revise their hiring strategies in light of an aging workforce, results indicated a reluctance to make significant changes:

• - Actively revising strategies: 9.1%
• - Partially revising strategies: 23.7%
• - No plans to revise: 67.2%

Even though many expressed interest in attracting younger applicants, the focus often shifts towards improving the overall industry perception and creating a sustainable working environment. This implies that more companies may prioritize enhancing their employment branding over immediate hiring strategies.

Expert Insights

Kenichi Niiyama, Executive Director of Ielove Group, commented on the survey findings, emphasizing the complexity of the current recruitment environment. With an aging employee base, difficulties in attracting younger workers, and a notable number of companies refraining from hiring, the situation in the real estate sector remains challenging.

Ielove Group aims to support real estate companies in navigating these challenges by providing operational support systems designed to enhance productivity.

Conclusion

The survey uncovers critical insights into the real estate industry's recruitment challenges, particularly concerning workforce aging and declining youth interest in the field. While many companies are dedicated to implementing strategies to address these issues, the path forward requires a comprehensive approach focused not only on immediate staffing needs but also on long-term sustainability and industry perception improvements.

Survey Overview

• - Survey Period: October 13, 2025 - October 27, 2025
• - Conducted by: Ielove Group
• - Participants: Employees from real estate companies utilizing the Ielove Cloud system
• - Valid Responses: 186 responses
• - Method: Online questionnaire

For more information about Ielove Group and its services, visit Ielove Group.