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The European housing market in 2025 is characterized by rising prices and diverse conditions across countries. Overall, about 51.7% of the EU population lives in houses, while 47.7% reside in flats. The average household size is 2.3 persons, with 1.6 rooms per person on average.
House prices increased by 2.6% in the euro area and 3.8% in the EU compared to the previous year. The strongest growth is expected in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico, driven by government support programs and increasing wages. In contrast, prices are declining in France due to affordability issues and political uncertainty.
Public, cooperative, and social housing providers manage around 25 million homes, accounting for approximately 11% of Europe's housing stock. These providers aim to spend at least €35 billion per year on additional affordable housing and €23 billion on renovation and maintenance.
Overcrowding remains a concern, with 16.8% of the EU population living in overcrowded homes. However, this rate has decreased from 19.1% in 2010.
The housing market faces challenges such as insufficient supply in many countries, affordability issues, and the need for energy-efficient renovations. Governments and housing providers are working to address these challenges through various initiatives and investments.
Housing cooperatives play a significant role in the European housing landscape, representing about 12% of existing dwellings in the EU. There are approximately 35,000 housing cooperatives across Europe, with varying sizes and membership numbers, totaling around 10.5 million dwellings and 11 million members.
In some countries, cooperative housing is a substantial part of the housing market. For example, housing cooperatives manage over 2.5 million dwellings in Poland (20% of the total housing stock), 17% in the Czech Republic and Sweden, and 15% in Norway. On average, 10% of Europeans live in housing cooperatives.
The European Union recognizes social and cooperative housing as a key instrument in ensuring the right to housing and achieving Europe 2020 targets. Many cities and countries are promoting cooperative housing through various initiatives. For instance, the European Affordable Housing Consortium is working on a renovation wave driven by social and technical innovation, aiming to bring 100 Lighthouse Districts to life.
Some notable cooperative housing projects include the NETCO project in Navarra, Spain, which is a network of collaborative housing programs, and the Kalkbreite, Kraftwerk, Heizenholz, and Mehr Als Wohnen cooperatives in Zurich, Switzerland. These projects demonstrate innovative approaches to affordable, sustainable, and community-oriented housing solutions.
The European Union is taking significant steps to address the housing crisis across its member states through the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI). Now in its second phase, the AHI aims to support 35 lighthouse districts in becoming inclusive, energy-efficient, and sustainable spaces with affordability at their core. The initiative provides tailored guidance, financial advice, mentorship, and capacity-building to tackle energy poverty, promote inclusion, ensure affordability, and reduce emissions.
The EU's approach includes several key programs and activities:
These initiatives aim to transform housing across communities, addressing affordability pressures, energy efficiency, and social inclusion simultaneously. The EU recognizes that housing policy is interconnected with other sectors such as transport, energy, and urban planning, and is working towards a more holistic approach to create sustainable and affordable housing solutions.