Resource overview (Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey 2025)
This resource is a Eurocities article by Andrew Kennedy, published by Eurocities, presenting findings from the Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey 2025 and highlighting how European city leaders view the housing and climate challenges across Europe.
Housing affordability signals from city leaders
Based on responses from 86 mayors in 26 European countries, the survey reports a sharp rise in the urgency of housing affordability. Only 14% of mayors say housing is still affordable in their city. For 39%, housing is already unaffordable, and 47% say it is at serious risk. The reported drivers include rising demand, increasing construction costs, and limited land availability.
Proposed EU-level response and delivery tools
Eurocities President and Ghent Mayor Mathias De Clercq calls for an effective European Affordable Housing Plan backed by a dedicated, fast-tracked EU housing fund. The proposal also highlights the role of public–private partnerships and support for sustainable, innovative building solutions as part of expanding high-quality affordable and social housing.
2025 priorities: climate, housing, inclusion, and urban delivery
For the third consecutive year, climate action remains the top concern for Europe’s mayors, receiving more than twice as many selections as any other issue. Housing has moved up to second place in urgency (from fifth place two years earlier). Reported top priorities for 2025 include: 63% climate action (with mayors investing in green infrastructure, clean mobility, and adaptation measures); 34% access to affordable and social housing; 33% social inclusion and equity; and 30% urban planning and infrastructure.
Economic outlook and municipal budget constraints
The survey describes mixed economic confidence: 64% of mayors are positive about their city’s economic outlook, while only 31% are positive about their country’s economy. Around one third of mayors report persistent budget pressures, linked to high inflation and global instability, particularly the impacts associated with Russia’s war in Ukraine. These pressures are reported to be causing delays or reductions in investments in housing, infrastructure, and climate action.
Funding access and governance concerns
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget and a new policy agenda for cities, mayors call for more direct access to EU funding and a stronger role in policymaking. The survey finds EU funding is perceived as the hardest to access: 33% of mayors say it is easy to access, compared with 44% for national funding and 55% for regional funding. Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak argues for working directly with city leaders and simplifying what is described as over-centralised bureaucracy.
Democracy, autonomy, and capacity to act locally
In a context of political uncertainty and rising populism, the survey notes that over 70% of mayors remain optimistic about the EU’s future, while confidence in national authorities is lower. Mayors also report concerns about ongoing centralisation and limited fiscal autonomy, with only one in four indicating their city has high fiscal autonomy.
Sustainable transport as a linked urban sustainability agenda
Sustainable transport is presented as a special focus of the 2025 survey and another key priority, with cities aiming to expand networks, keep services affordable, and improve connectivity. Over half of mayors cite funding gaps and high costs as major barriers.
Survey method and scope
Eurocities reports that the third edition of the Pulse Mayors Survey is based on research among mayors from its 204 member cities, conducted via an online survey between December 2024 and February 2025. Results for closed questions are presented in aggregated form, while open-ended questions were used for areas such as top challenges and priorities.