Spain housing costs delay youth emancipation and family formation

Recent reports highlight a growing housing crisis in Spain affecting young adults and university students. According to the EAE Real Estate Effort Index, 65.6% of young Spaniards have postponed emancipation or starting a family due to housing costs. The study notes that 75.3% of respondents believe purchasing a home without family assistance is ‘nearly impossible,’ contributing to a widening generational gap.

Among those aged 25 to 34, only 38.5% own their home, compared to 62.2% of those aged 35 to 45. Rental housing has become the primary method of independence, though many rely on family support. Additionally, 66% of mortgage holders stated they likely could not afford to buy their current home if they had to do so today.

Data from the Fundación CYD regarding higher education students shows that 51.2% of Spanish university students live with their parents, a rate higher than most European countries except Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Malta. For those not living at home, 21.7% share a flat and 17.6% live with a partner or children. The report also points to high economic dependence on families and a higher cost of education with lower public funding compared to the European average.