Young Portuguese Among Oldest in EU to Leave Home Amid Housing Crisis
A recent statistical release from Eurostat has confirmed that young people in Portugal are leaving their parental homes at an average age of 28.9 years, the seventh highest in the European Union. This data point underscores the deepening housing crisis in the country, where soaring costs are significantly delaying the transition to independence for a generation. The findings place Portugal behind only Croatia, Slovakia, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Malta in the age of emancipation, and well above the EU average of 26.2 years.
The data, compiled for the year 2024, was released by the EU's official statistical office as part of its regular monitoring of social and economic conditions across the bloc. The methodology involves surveying households to determine the average age at which individuals move out of their parents' residence. The report notes that while the EU average has remained relatively stable, certain member states, including Portugal, are showing signs of increasing strain. For comparison, the lowest average ages were observed in Nordic countries such as Finland (21.4 years) and Sweden (21.9 years), highlighting a significant north-south divide in housing accessibility.
The statistical findings detail the financial burden placed on young adults. In Portugal, the housing cost overburden rate—the percentage of the population living in a household where total housing costs represent more than 40% of disposable income—stood at 8.4% for individuals aged 15 to 29. This is notably higher than the 6.9% rate for the total population, indicating that the youth are disproportionately affected by the high cost of living. The EU-wide overburden rate for young people was even higher at 9.7%, signaling a widespread challenge across the continent.
The report provides a geographic breakdown of the issue within Portugal, identifying the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto as the epicenters of the crisis. These cities have experienced a dramatic increase in both property purchase prices and rental values over the past decade. The situation is attributed to a confluence of factors, including a limited supply of new housing, significant real estate speculation, and the rapid expansion of the short-term rental market driven by tourism. These elements have combined to create a highly competitive and expensive housing landscape.
A year-over-year comparison shows a slight increase in the average age for leaving home in Portugal, continuing a trend observed over the past five years. In 2023, the average age was 28.7, while in 2019, before the pandemic, it was closer to 28. This steady climb reflects the persistent and worsening affordability challenges. Market analysis from various real estate agencies corroborates these findings, with reports consistently pointing to double-digit percentage increases in rent and property values in prime urban locations annually.
The analysis of the housing market segments reveals that the pressure is felt across the board, but most acutely in the mid-range and affordable housing sectors. The luxury market continues to attract foreign investment, which some economists argue has a knock-on effect, driving up prices in other segments. However, the core of the problem lies in the lack of sufficient housing stock for the local population, particularly for young professionals and families starting out.
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Industry experts have commented on the statistical trends, with many expressing concern. Dr. Ricardo Borges, an economist at the University of Lisbon, stated, "These Eurostat figures are not surprising, but they are alarming. They are a clear quantitative indicator of a social crisis. When young people cannot afford to live independently, it has long-term consequences for everything from birth rates to labor mobility."
The Portuguese government has responded to the data by acknowledging the severity of the problem. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing stated that several measures are already in place, including tax incentives for landlords who offer long-term rental contracts and programs to convert vacant commercial properties into residential units. However, critics argue these measures have not been sufficient to counteract the powerful market forces at play.
Historically, Portugal has had a culture of strong family ties, with young adults often living at home longer than in Northern European countries. However, economists are clear that the current trend is driven less by cultural preference and more by economic necessity. The current figures are at a historic high for the country since such data began being systematically collected in the early 2000s.
Eurostat has announced that it will continue to monitor the situation closely, with the next data release on housing conditions expected in the second quarter of 2026. The European Commission has also indicated that it will be working with the Portuguese government to implement its 'Affordable Housing Initiative,' which aims to provide funding and support to member states facing acute housing shortages.
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