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Where in Europe Will House Prices Rise the Most in 2025?

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 3, 2025

House prices across Europe are set to continue climbing in 2025, propelled by an ongoing supply-demand imbalance. While most countries will see growth, France stands out as an exception, with prices expected to dip temporarily due to affordability issues and political uncertainties. Fitch Ratings’ housing and mortgage outlook for 2025 predicts that nominal home prices will rise in the low to mid-single digits in most countries over the next two years.

Top European Markets to Watch

Netherlands: House price growth is projected to slow from the current 13% to 8%-10% in 2025, and 6%-8% in 2026. This still represents one of the fastest growth rates globally, driven by a limited housing supply due to rising material and labour costs. Population growth and shrinking household sizes further fuel demand. Government programmes aimed at supporting first-time buyers could also boost the market, although tighter fiscal policies may temper purchasing power.
Spain: House prices are expected to increase by 4%-6% in 2025 compared to 2024, with further growth of 5%-7% anticipated in 2026. Falling interest rates and improving consumer confidence are key drivers, while the housing shortage remains acute, with new construction meeting only half the needs of new household formations.
Germany: Modest growth of 2%-4% is forecast for both 2025 and 2026, up from Fitch’s estimate of 1.5% for 2024. Rising rents are making homeownership increasingly attractive, despite moderate wage growth limiting affordability.
UK: House prices are predicted to grow by 2%-4% in 2025 and 2026. Declining mortgage rates and strong labour market conditions will support the market, with lenders pricing in policy rates reaching 3.5% in 2025.
Denmark: Similar to the UK, house prices in Denmark are expected to rise by 2%-4% in 2025 and 2026, driven by lower interest rates and moderate growth in disposable income.
Italy: Slower growth of 0.5%-2.5% is expected in 2025 and 2026. High mortgage rates are dampening demand, while most transactions involve older properties rather than new builds, contributing to limited price increases.

Key Drivers of Price Growth

Limited Supply: High land, labour, and material costs, along with regulatory barriers, are restricting new housing developments in most markets.
Improved Economic Conditions: Low unemployment, real wage growth, and easing inflation are leaving consumers with more disposable income, driving demand.
Falling Mortgage Rates: Fitch Ratings expects mortgage rates to decline to around 2.5% over the next two years, which will enhance affordability for buyers.

Market Exceptions and Challenges

France: House prices are expected to decline in 2025 due to strained affordability and political uncertainties. However, the pace of decline will slow compared to 2024, and prices are projected to rebound in 2026 as the market stabilises.
Climate and Regulatory Concerns: Flood risks and EU regulations promoting sustainable construction practices could influence market dynamics, increasing costs while boosting demand for energy-efficient homes.

Global Perspective and Risks

Globally, the strongest home price growth is forecast in the Netherlands, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. In these markets, factors such as government programmes for first-time buyers and rising construction costs are key drivers.

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Despite the expected growth, Fitch warns that unexpected economic challenges, such as higher-than-expected inflation or weaker household income, could disrupt these trends. Rising property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs may also deter potential buyers.

Europe’s housing market in 2025 will be shaped by the interplay of supply constraints, economic conditions, and regulatory factors. For buyers, investors, and policymakers, staying attuned to these trends will be crucial in navigating an increasingly competitive landscape.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.