BHAGYASHREE UTTAM RATHOD. Effects of Space per Occupant on Janitorial and Maintenance Costs across the North America, Asia and Middle East. (Under the direction of DR. JAKE SMITHWICK) This study explores the relationship between space per occupant and janitorial and maintenance costs in facilities management (FM). The research is based on data collected from International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) Operation & Maintenance benchmarking reports across North America, Asia, and the Middle East. The research methodology used in this study involved several steps, including survey rebuilding, sampling, data collection, cleaning, conversion, and analysis. The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of space per occupant on O&M costs and janitorial costs across different regions. The researchers used purposive sampling to select relevant data from three IFMA O&M Benchmarking surveys, resulting in a total of 2,092 responses collected across three regions. The data was then combined and managed using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets. Data cleaning was done to remove errors, typos, and logical inconsistencies. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of space planning and facility sizes across different regions and budget allocation for janitorial and maintenance costs.Data analysis involved both inferential and descriptive statistics to examine the quantitative and qualitative data and assess the effect of space management practices on maintenance budgets, janitorial budgets, and future planning growth of facilities. Basic correlation and descriptive statistics were used to investigate the average facility size, space per occupant, janitorial costs, interior maintenance costs, and total maintenance costs across various facility uses and industry sectors. Additionally, linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis were used to identify the relationship between space per occupant and janitorial cost and maintenance cost. Basic correlation analysis was also used to analyze qualitative data to identify the factors that cause differences in space management practices. The results and findings of the study show a significant relationship between space per occupant and janitorial cost and maintenance cost. Linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation analysis revealed that as the space per occupant increased, the janitorial and maintenance costs also increased. This finding provides insight into the importance of space planning and facility sizes for budget allocation for janitorial and maintenance costs. Additionally, the study provides useful information on space management practices across different regions, facility uses, and industry sectors, which can help facility managers make informed decisions in their budget planning and maintenance strategies. The study findings suggest that effective space utilization strategies can help control janitorial costs, while customized maintenance plans are essential for addressing the specific needs of the facility. The study highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in FM and identifies opportunities for future research to improve FM practices.