European wages increasingly unable to afford standard family homes
Portugal recorded the biggest year-on-year rise in inflation-adjusted residential prices, while most other regions saw declines.
A comprehensive mapping study published in the Journal of Maps reveals that housing costs have outpaced wages across Europe, leaving most people unable to afford a typical family dwelling. Using data from over 22 million property listings in 31 nations, the authors found that more than 70% of the population cannot buy a 75-square-meter home on an average income, and 44% cannot even afford a 50-square-meter rental without exceeding one-third of their earnings.
The analysis points to pronounced inequality in Spain, especially around Madrid, and to tourism-driven price spikes in coastal areas of France, Portugal, Greece and Croatia. Urban centers show the highest unaffordability, while only about 5% of Europeans live in markets where larger homes are affordable. The authors stress that average wages mask income distribution gaps and that policy must address both income support and price moderation.
