About 36 percent of homeowners in England were aged 65 and above, which contrasts sharply with younger age groups, particularly those under 35. Young adults between 25 and 35, made up 15 percent of homeowners and had a dramatically lower homeownership rate. The disparity highlights the growing challenges faced by younger generations in entering the property market, a trend that has significant implications for wealth distribution and social mobility. Barriers to homeownership for young adults The path to homeownership has become increasingly difficult for young adults in the UK. A 2023 survey revealed that mortgage affordability was the greatest obstacle to property purchase. This represents a 39 percent increase from 2021, reflecting the impact of rising house prices and mortgage rates. Despite these challenges, one in three young adults still aspire to get on the property ladder as soon as possible, though many have put their plans on hold. The need for additional financial support from family, friends, and lenders has become more prevalent, with one in five young adults acknowledging this necessity. Regional disparities and housing supply The housing market in England faces regional challenges, with North West England and the West Midlands experiencing the largest mismatch between housing supply and demand in 2023. This imbalance is evident in the discrepancy between new homes added to the housing stock and the number of new households formed. London, despite showing signs of housing shortage, has seen the largest difference between homes built and households formed. The construction of new homes has been volatile, with a significant drop in 2020, a rebound in 2021 and a gradual decline until 2024.

Home Ownership Rate in the United Kingdom decreased to 64.50 percent in 2023 from 64.70 percent in 2022. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Home Ownership Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

This statistic illustrates the home ownership rate among the total population of the United Kingdom (UK) between 2007 and 2018. During that timeframe, the home ownership rate oscillated between approximately 63 to 73 percent of the total population.

In the presented European countries, the homeownership rate extended from 42.6 percent in Switzerland to as much as 95.9 percent in Albania. Countries with more mature rental markets, such as France, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland, tended to have a lower homeownership rate compared to the frontier countries, such as Lithuania or Slovakia. The share of house owners among the population of all 20 euro area countries stood at 64.5 percent in 2024. Average cost of housing Countries with lower homeownership rates tend to have higher house prices. In 2024, the average transaction price for a house was notably higher in Western and Northern Europe than in Eastern and Southern Europe. In Austria, one of the most expensive European countries to buy a new dwelling in, the average price was three times higher than in Greece. Looking at house price growth, however, the most expensive markets recorded slower house price growth compared to the mid-priced markets. Housing supply With population numbers rising across Europe, the need for affordable housing continues. In 2024, European countries completed between one and six housing units per 1,000 citizens, with Ireland, Poland, and Denmark responsible for heading the ranking. One of the major challenges for supplying the market with more affordable homes is the rising construction costs. In 2021 and 2022, housing construction costs escalated dramatically due to soaring inflation, which has had a significant effect on new supply.

This dataset provides values for HOME OWNERSHIP RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 2024, approximately ** percent of all housing in England was owner-occupied. This share declined notably since the early 2000's, as house prices gradually grew and affordability declined. In 2021, mortgage interest rates soared, leading to even lower homebuyer sentiment.

The distribution of all owner-occupier households in England in 2024 varied per age group, as well as the type of home financing. The older the age group, the larger the share of owner-occupier homeowners who purchased their home outright. A share of 2.1 percent of own outright homeowners were between the ages of 25 to 34, whereas a share of 62.1 percent of own outright homeowners were aged 65 and over. Although this is the case, the largest share of homeowners who purchased their house with a mortgage was in the age range of 35 to 44 years old.

Homeownership in England showed a stark generational divide in 2024. About ** percent of those aged 65 and above lived in an owner-occupied home, which contrasts sharply with younger age groups, particularly those under **. Less than half of 25 to 35 year-olds lived in an owner-occupied home. The disparity highlights the growing challenges faced by younger generations in entering the property market, a trend that has significant implications for wealth distribution and social mobility.

The number of dwellings by dwelling occupancy, shared dwellings, accommodation type, tenure, central heating type and number of bedrooms. Data are available at country, region, local authority, Middle layer Super Output Area and Lower layer Super Output Area in England and Wales, where possible.

This statistic displays the share of first time home buyers in England in 2015/2016 by gender. It can be seen that over ** percent of first time buyers were joint tenants with a male as the household reference person (HRP) as of 2015/2016.

The number of dwellings in the UK, and dwelling stock data by tenure for the UK’s constituent countries, where available.

Number of affordable housing starts (seasonally adjusted)

How the figure is calculated:

Total reported numbers of starts under the relevant programmes within the reporting period. Because delivery is seasonal and reflects funding profiles, with more starts and completions being reported in the second six months than are reported in the first six months, the current figures are compared back to the equivalent period of the year before rather than the preceding six months.

Why is this indicator in the business plan?

These are the most timely indicators on affordable housing delivery. Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key part of DCLG policy.

How often is it updated?

Bi-annually, approximately June and November.

Where does the data come from?

Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) - Investment Management System and other programme information. Published figures are at http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/housing-statistics.

Greater London Authority (GLA) - Investment Management System and other programme information. Published figures are at http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/housing-land/increasing-housing-supply/gla-affordable-housing-statistics.

What area does the headline figure cover?

England

Are further breakdowns of the data available?

Yes, can be split by type (social rent, affordable rent, intermediate rent, Low Cost Home Ownership) and by local authority area.

What does a change in this indicator show?

An increase in this indicator is good and shows more new affordable houses are being started through the HCA and GLA.

Time Lag

Published within two months of the end of the reporting period.

Next available update

June 2015.

Type of Data

Official Statistics.

Robustness and data limitations

• Does not include all affordable housing starts and completions because some will be delivered outside the HCA and GLA roles.
• Delivery is seasonal and reflects funding profiles. Delivery tends to be lower in the first six months than the last six months of the year and therefore comparisons with the previous six-monthly period are not usually appropriate.
• A small number of the affordable housing starts reported by the HCA over this period are actually located in London (the Get Britain Building programme in London is administered by the HCA on behalf of the GLA).

With effect from 1 April 2014, affordable housing starts on site include the starts on site for new build homes purchased at completion. These have not been reported historically

Links to Further Information

http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/housing-statistics

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/housing-land/increasing-housing-supply/gla-affordable-housing-statistics

Contact Details

CorporatePerformance@communities.gsi.gov.uk