Housing in Europe – 2024 edition

Housing in Europe – 2024 edition, published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, explores the complexities of housing across Europe. This comprehensive report highlights significant disparities in housing size, type, quality, ownership, and rental status among EU member states, as well as evolving trends in house prices and rents.

The report reveals that in 2023, 69% of the EU population owned their homes, while 31% lived in rented accommodations. Ownership rates vary significantly, with Romania leading at 96%, followed by Slovakia (94%), and Croatia and Hungary (both 91%). In contrast, Germany exhibits higher rental rates, with 52% of residents as tenants. The housing type also varies, with 51.7% of the EU population living in houses and 47.7% in flats. Notably, Ireland has the highest proportion of people living in houses at 90%.

On average, there were 1.6 rooms per person in the EU in 2023, with Luxembourg and Malta recording the highest at 2.2 rooms. The average household size was 2.3 persons. However, approximately 17% of the EU population lived in overcrowded homes, with the highest rates in Latvia (40.9%) and Romania (40.0%). Conversely, 33.3% of the population lived in under-occupied homes, particularly prevalent in Cyprus (71.3%).

The report emphasizes the environmental implications of housing, noting that greenhouse gas emissions from households averaged 647 kg per capita in the EU in 2022. Significant variations exist, with Luxembourg recording the highest at 1,296 kg per capita, while Sweden had the lowest at 27 kg. Additionally, 25.5% of EU residents lived in homes that improved energy efficiency in the past five years, primarily through enhanced thermal insulation and more efficient heating systems.

Housing costs remain a pressing issue, with EU households spending an average of 19.7% of their disposable income on housing in 2023. The highest costs were reported in Greece (35.2%) and Denmark (25.9%). House prices surged by 48% from 2010 to 2023, with Estonia experiencing the largest increase at 209%. Rent prices also rose by 22% during the same period, putting further pressure on affordability.

The report highlights the construction sector's evolution, indicating a 52% increase in construction producer prices from 2010 to 2023. The number of building permits granted saw a decline of 20% in 2022, with notable increases in Bulgaria, Ireland, and Estonia between 2010 and 2023. Investment in housing constituted 5.8% of GDP in the EU, with Cyprus leading at 8.6%.

Overall, the "Housing in Europe – 2024 edition" provides vital insights into the diverse housing landscape in Europe, addressing critical issues of ownership, rental status, housing quality, environmental impacts, affordability, and construction trends. The findings underscore the necessity for sustainable housing solutions to meet the growing demands and challenges faced by the EU population.