Sweden's young adults face housing shortage as experts call for reforms

A debate in Kalmar County notes that five out of ten young people live in municipalities with a shortage of affordable homes, while in Örebro County 3,300 residents aged 19‑25 face similar constraints. Both pieces argue that current mortgage rules and high down‑payment requirements keep many from buying their first home, despite recent easing of amortisation limits and higher loan caps.

The commentators propose three policy measures: lower the moving tax to stimulate household turnover, introduce tax‑favoured savings and state‑backed starter loans for first‑time buyers, and simplify construction of small, affordable dwellings.

Television satire host Messiah Hallberg, in the SVT series “Generation Bostadslös”, adds that Sweden’s rent regulation, in place since 1942, is a major barrier. He cites economist Fredrik Kopsch’s call to abolish rent control, eliminate the interest‑deduction, and remove municipal planning monopolies. Housing minister Andreas Carlson defends the government’s stance on easing thresholds and expanding buildable land, but Hallberg argues the measures lack political backing.

Together, the articles highlight a growing consensus that Sweden must overhaul tax, loan and rent policies to enable young adults to move out of their parents’ homes and enter the housing market.