Germany rental‑affordability survey finds nearly half of tenants struggle with costs
A YouGov survey commissioned by Postbank interviewed 1,109 tenants across Germany. 48.5 % say they can only just afford their housing costs, while 12.2 % consider themselves to be living beyond their means. Around 60 % spend at least 30 % of net household income on rent and utilities, and 29.7 % allocate 40 % or more. 34.1 % report being able to comfortably afford their housing. Nearly half (47.9 %) would prefer to own their own home, but 45.8 % see inheritance as the most realistic way to achieve ownership. Ulrich Stephan, chief investment strategist at Deutsche Bank, said the findings highlight a growing financial burden for German renters.
The same figures appear in multiple German press releases and in a Bulgarian news outlet that cited the YouGov‑Postbank study, underscoring the breadth of the issue.
Entities: Alexander Hofmann · Deutsche Bank · Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) · German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) · Germany · Postbank · Ruth Brand · Statistisches Bundesamt · Ulrich Stephan · YouGov
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nearly 1.9 million apartments were vacant in Germany in summer 2024, representing 4.3 % of the housing stock. (Statistisches Bundesamt census data)
- [● 6 SOURCES] 34.1 % of the surveyed renters say they can afford their housing costs well. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [● 6 SOURCES] 45.8 % of respondents say inheritance is the most likely way to afford a home, indicating lack of equity as the main barrier. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [● 6 SOURCES] 48.5 % of 1,109 surveyed German renters say they can just afford their housing costs. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [● 6 SOURCES] 47.9 % of renters would prefer to own their own home. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] About 38 % (700,000) of the vacant apartments were available for rent within three months. (Ruth Brand, President of the Statistisches Bundesamt)
- [● 6 SOURCES] 12.2 % of the surveyed renters say they live beyond their financial means. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Around 60 % of renters spend at least 30 % of net household income on housing; about 30 % spend 40 % or more. (YouGov survey for Postbank)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 60 % of renters spend 30 % or more of net household income on housing; 29.7 % spend at least 40 %. (YouGov survey results)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Only about 38 % of vacant apartments (roughly 700,000) are available for rent within three months. (Ruth Brand, President of the Federal Statistical Office)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 1.9 million apartments are vacant in Germany, representing 4.3 % of the total housing stock. (Federal Statistical Office census data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Funding for German Wohngeld (housing benefit) is split equally between the federal government and the states. (German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) statement)