As cloud giants continue to expand their reach, the very shape of the data center world is changing. A new report from Synergy Research Group reveals that hyperscale operators now hold 44 percent of the planet’s total data center capacity, and that number is set to rise dramatically over the next six years. Enterprise-owned facilities, once dominant, are steadily retreating.
Back in 2019, businesses operated the majority of the world’s data center capacity. But by early 2025, that control has slipped to just 34 percent. And if current trends hold, analysts believe it could fall even lower, possibly reaching just 22 percent by the end of the decade. At the same time, overall data capacity is climbing fast, driven largely by hyperscalers building out their own massive infrastructure or leasing space from specialized colocation providers.
Synergy’s data paints a clear picture: hyperscale growth is consistent across every region, but the pace and structure vary. In the U.S., tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are choosing to build and own much of their infrastructure from the ground up. But the story shifts in parts of Europe and Asia-Pacific, where companies often lean toward leasing. It’s not just about preference—tight regulations, limited land, and unique local hurdles make renting a smarter, faster way to expand in many regions.
Although enterprise data centers are losing market share, they’re not disappearing entirely. Some are staging a modest comeback as generative AI and GPU-heavy workloads demand local power. But even with this uptick, their slice of the global pie continues to shrink year over year.
John Dinsdale, chief analyst at Synergy, noted that while hyperscalers would ideally own every part of their footprint, real-world challenges often require partnerships with local players. In countries with tight rules or construction bottlenecks, speed and flexibility matter more than ownership.
What’s emerging isn’t just a bigger internet. It’s a layered one, split between hyperscale self-builds, high-growth colocation, and shrinking enterprise pockets—each adapting to a rapidly shifting digital economy.
