Housing price statistics - House Price Index

The document titled "Housing price statistics - House Price Index" is published by the European Commission, specifically authored by Eurostat. It serves as a comprehensive report on housing prices within the Euro area and the European Union, providing essential data for understanding housing market dynamics. This resource is crucial for stakeholders interested in sustainable housing, as it highlights trends and statistics relevant to residential properties.

According to the latest data, house prices in the Euro area rose by 5.1%, while the increase in the European Union was slightly higher at 5.4% in the second quarter of 2025, compared to the same quarter in 2024. This upward trend reflects the ongoing recovery of the housing market following previous fluctuations.

The House Price Index (HPI) tracks price changes of residential properties, including flats and detached houses. After experiencing a decline between Q2 2011 and Q1 2013, house prices stabilized from 2013 to 2014. A significant rise began in early 2015, with prices increasing rapidly until Q3 2022. Although there were slight dips in late 2022, house prices have shown resilience, with continuous growth from Q1 2024 to Q2 2025.

Among EU countries, there was a notable disparity in annual house price changes in Q2 2025. Finland recorded a decrease of 1.3%, while remarkable increases were observed in Portugal (+17.2%), Bulgaria (+15.5%), and Hungary (+15.1%). Overall, out of the countries reported, 25 experienced annual price increases, signaling robust market conditions across much of the EU.

The HPI is frequently used alongside other macroeconomic statistics to derive indicators that analyze housing market dynamics. For instance, the deflated HPI adjusts for consumer price inflation, allowing for deeper insight into market trends. This metric has become increasingly important for assessing housing cycles and ensuring that stakeholders understand real price movements in relation to inflation.

The long-term data indicates that from 2010 to Q2 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 60.5%, compared to a 28.8% rise in rents. This divergence underscores the increasing affordability challenges within the housing market. As of Q2 2025, rents rose by 3.2% year-on-year, while house prices experienced a slightly higher increase of 5.4%. These trends highlight the necessity for sustainable housing solutions that address both price and accessibility.

The HPI calculations for the Euro area and EU aggregates are based on weighted averages of national HPIs. The weights assigned to member states are reflective of their economic performance, specifically GDP at market prices. This method ensures that the index accurately represents housing price dynamics across diverse economies.

In compiling the HPI, Eurostat emphasizes the importance of accurate transaction data, including dwelling characteristics and market prices. The HPI focuses exclusively on market prices while excluding non-market transactions, ensuring that the index provides a precise measure of residential property trends in the EU.

This document serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in understanding the housing market's evolution, particularly in the context of sustainable housing practices and policies within Europe.