Context

Demand for houses has exploded in the UK in the last two years due to the pandemic. As a result, it feels like it is becoming more difficult for young people to afford to buy a house in the near future. I wanted to collect data to see if this sentiment is backed up by numbers.

Content

In this folder you will find the average house price in the UK between between 1975 and 2020, the median wage in the UK between 1999 and 2020. Both of these metrics have been adjusted by inflation up to 2020.

This folder also contains a table containing data on the wage gap in 2021, in the UK and by age group.

Sources

Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/802183/annual-pay-employees-in-the-uk/ and https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002964/average-full-time-annual-earnings-in-the-uk/.

allAgents: https://www.allagents.co.uk/house-prices-adjusted/.

Bank of England: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator.

Graph and download economic data for Inflation, consumer prices for the United States (FPCPITOTLZGUSA) from 1960 to 2024 about consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

When adjusted for inflation, the 2024 federal minimum wage in the United States is over 40 percent lower than the minimum wage in 1970. Although the real dollar minimum wage in 1970 was only 1.60 U.S. dollars, when expressed in nominal 2024 dollars this increases to 13.05 U.S. dollars. This is a significant difference from the federal minimum wage in 2024 of 7.25 U.S. dollars.

Ireland: Inflation: percent change in the Consumer Price Index: The latest value from 2024 is 2.1 percent, a decline from 6.3 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.0 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 1960 to 2024 is 5.2 percent. The minimum value, -4.4 percent, was reached in 2009 while the maximum of 20.9 percent was recorded in 1975.

The USA: Real interest rate: Bank lending rate minus inflation: The latest value from 2021 is -1.26 percent, a decline from 2.19 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 1.66 percent, based on data from 106 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1961 to 2021 is 3.66 percent. The minimum value, -1.28 percent, was reached in 1975 while the maximum of 8.59 percent was recorded in 1981.

Finland: Inflation: percent change in the Consumer Price Index: The latest value from 2024 is 1.6 percent, a decline from 6.3 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.0 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for Finland from 1960 to 2024 is 4.5 percent. The minimum value, -0.2 percent, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 17.8 percent was recorded in 1975.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Nonmetallic Mineral Products: Glass Containers (Including Value of Packaging) (WPU138101) from Jan 1975 to Sep 2025 about glass, nonmetallic, minerals, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

The Netherlands: Inflation: percent change in the Consumer Price Index: The latest value from 2024 is 3.3 percent, a decline from 3.8 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.0 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for the Netherlands from 1960 to 2024 is 3.4 percent. The minimum value, -0.7 percent, was reached in 1987 while the maximum of 10.2 percent was recorded in 1975.

Belgium: Inflation: percent change in the Consumer Price Index: The latest value from 2024 is 3.1 percent, a decline from 4 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.0 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for Belgium from 1960 to 2024 is 3.5 percent. The minimum value, -0.1 percent, was reached in 2009 while the maximum of 12.8 percent was recorded in 1975.

The US dollar index of November 10, 2025 was lower than it was in October 2025, although still above the level in June 2025, the lowest value in the current year. This reveals itself in a historical graphic on the past 50 years, measuring the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. This metric is different from other FX graphics that compare the U.S. dollar against other currencies. By October 1, 2025, the DXY index was around 97.66 points. The history of the DXY Index The index shown here – often referred to with the code DXY or USDX -measures the value of the U.S. dollar compared to a basket of six other foreign currencies. This basket includes the euro, the Swiss franc, the Japanese yen, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, and the Swedish króna. The index was created in 1973, after the arrival of the petrodollar and the dissolution of the Bretton Woods Agreement. Today, most of these currencies remain connected to the United States' largest trade partners. The relevance of the DXY Index The index focuses on trade and the strength of the U.S. dollar against specific currencies. It's less about inflation or devaluation, which is measured in alternative metrics like the Big Mac Index. Indeed, as the methodology behind the DXY Index has only been updated once – when the euro arrived in 1999 – some argue this composition is not accurate to the current state of the world. The price development of the U.S. dollar affects many things, including commodity prices in general.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for California (CASTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q3 2025 about appraisers, CA, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Swaziland: Real interest rate: Bank lending rate minus inflation: The latest value from 2024 is 7.9 percent, an increase from 4.68 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 4.99 percent, based on data from 73 countries. Historically, the average for Swaziland from 1975 to 2024 is 4.06 percent. The minimum value, -12.18 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 13.81 percent was recorded in 1985.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Massachusetts (MASTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q3 2025 about MA, appraisers, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for All-Transactions House Price Index for Colorado (COSTHPI) from Q1 1975 to Q3 2025 about CO, appraisers, HPI, housing, price index, indexes, price, and USA.