Spanish Youth Face Declining Wealth and Home Ownership Rates
A report highlights the alarming decrease in wealth and home ownership among Spain's youth.
Key Points
- • Only 25% of 30-year-olds own homes in 2025 compared to 65% a decade ago.
- • Median net wealth of under-35 households dropped 72.7% from 2002 to 2022.
- • Older generations have seen a wealth increase of 98.7%.
- • Experts suggest boosting affordable housing and job conditions as solutions.
A recent report reveals a stark decline in the net wealth and home ownership of younger generations in Spain, raising concerns about the long-term economic implications. According to the Spanish Bank’s Financial Survey of Families (EFF), each new generation is inheriting less wealth than the last. In 2025, just 25% of Spaniards aged 30 own their home, a significant drop from 65% a decade earlier.
The findings show that the median net wealth of households headed by individuals younger than 35 plummeted by 72.7% between 2002 and 2022. This contrasts sharply with wealth accumulation among older generations, especially those over 74, whose wealth grew by 98.7% in the same timeframe. As much as 83-90% of household wealth in Spain is tied to real estate, making home ownership critical for wealth accumulation among the youth.
The implications of this decline extend beyond just financial strain. The challenges in accessing affordable housing could stunt not only economic mobility but also impact social factors such as birth rates. With no immediate solutions in sight, experts advocate for increasing the supply of affordable housing and improving employment conditions as potential strategies to rectify the situation.
These revelations highlight the urgent need to rethink economic models in Spain to enhance opportunities for younger residents, who are facing an increasingly difficult path to financial stability and property ownership.