Analysis compares housing affordability and ownership rates across various EU countries, highlighting regional disparities and policy responses.
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Romania leads the EU in homeownership rates, with 95% of its population owning their homes, significantly higher than countries like France at 57%. An analysis within the European PULSE project compares housing accessibility across various EU nations. Romanian economist Ciprian Dascฤlu suggests Romania has relatively affordable housing compared to other regions, noting that it takes about 6.5 years of work to buy an apartment in Bucharest, while the Central Europe average is around 14 years. Despite this, analysts predict rising housing prices due to constant demand and limited new supply. Housing market issues in Romania include regional disparities in supply and demand, with only a quarter of all real estate transactions occurring in the capital. While transaction costs are moderate in Romania, they vary significantly by region. The Romanian government has a National Housing Strategy but has made limited progress on social housing provision. Vienna is highlighted as a positive example due to its long-standing municipal building program and non-profit sector, which provides affordable housing. In Spain, despite high ownership rates, there is increasing short-term rentals, leading to the implementation of a new Housing Law aimed at limiting rent increases. France has seen a slight decline in homeownership over the last decade. Czechia faces a major housing crisis due to low construction and rising costs, prompting calls for new legislation. In Greece, nearly half the population struggles with paying rent or bills. Italy maintains high ownership rates, driven by cultural factors, though affordability is an issue in northern cities like Milan. Lithuania reports that housing accessibility is the top concern for its youth, with many renting as a necessity.
