REITs offer strong investment performance, diversification, liquidity, steady dividends, and protection against inflation.

REITs also make a very positive contribution to society and economic growth.

Let’s take a look at some of the evidence gathered by members of the Global REIT Alliance.

You can skip ahead to any of these three sections:

Long-term performance | REITs and Society | Why REITs?

Long-term investment performance

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US REITs outperform on inflation…and much more
US REITs outperform on inflation…and much more

Investment returns for US Equity REITs beat private real estate returns in three critical inflation scenarios.

Across low, medium, and high CPI environments between 1970 and 2025, equity REITs outperformed by 220 to 500 basis points.

The analysis also showed REITs outperformed across different interest rate and GDP scenarios.

Source: Nareit

Published: July 2026

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US REITs excel over a quarter century
US REITs excel over a quarter century

US REITs outperform US private real estate by almost 2% in defined benefit plans over 26 years, and rank near the top of all US asset class returns.

Source: CEM for Nareit

Published: 2026

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Global REITs outshine other asset classes
Global REITs outshine other asset classes

Globally, equity REITs outperform private real estate, stocks and bonds over the long-term.

Source: Nareit and partners

Published: 2025

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REITs outpace international stocks and bonds
REITs outpace international stocks and bonds

REITs easily outshine rival asset classes when we look at compound annual growth rates.

Source: Nareit

Published: 2024

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European listed real estate beats European bonds and equities
European listed real estate beats European bonds and equities

Turning to Europe, REIT and corporate real estate equities returned an annualised 7.4% over 20 years, far higher than European equities and bonds.

Source: EPRA

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European listed real estate yields
European listed real estate yields

The five-year average yield of listed real estate in the FTSE EPRA NAREIT Developed Europe REITs Index is 4.7% (as of June 30, 2021), easily surpassing the competition.

Source: EPRA

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South African REITs add proven value
South African REITs add proven value

The South African REIT Association (SAREIT) make the case for a significant increase in REIT allocations within multi-asset investor portfolios.

The paper concludes that “…by incorporating REITs into a diversified portfolio, investors can potentially enhance risk-adjusted returns, hedge against inflation and gain exposure to the commercial real estate asset class.”

Source: SAREIT

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REITs and society

In Europe, REITs generate €32.8 of tax revenue for every €100 of turnover.

Source: EPRA

These two EPRA reports showcase three big themes:

First, REITs strengthen financial markets, boost stability and increase liquidity, especially in economic downturns.

Second, REITs generate significant tax revenue that benefits society by supporting public services and infrastructure, countering misconceptions about low tax contributions.

Third, REITs drive urban development, promote sustainability, and address housing shortages.

Please click on the pictures for links, or:

Total Tax Contribution of Real Estate Investment Trusts in Europe (2020)

The Impact of European REITs - the role of real estate investment trusts in the European economy (2023)

This 2024 EPRA-INREV report highlights the commercial real estate sector’s critical role in Europe’s economy:

Economic Impact: €523 billion contribution (2.9% of EU GVA), surpassing automotive and telecom industries.

Employment: 4.4 million direct jobs.

Investment: €374 billion annually in development and refurbishment.

Sustainability: Institutional investors manage 70% of commercial real estate, driving ESG initiatives (37% of end-user emissions).

Housing Growth: Institutional housing investments quadrupled since 2013 to €573 billion.

Please click on the picture for links, or:

Real Estate in the Real Economy (2024)

Infographic

Why REITs?

NAREIT’s 2026 Guide for Financial Professionals

This fact-filled NAREIT resource kit helps financial professionals understand:

  • the advantages of REIT investing

  • diversification strategies

  • allocation options

  • using different REIT styles to achieve investment returns and to manage risks

Source: NAREIT

Published: August 2026