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Greece’s Housing Crisis: Key Drivers And Solutions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
February 13, 2025

Greece is grappling with a severe housing crisis caused by a sharp decline in construction activity and reduced household purchasing power. What was once a typical housing market is now facing a significant shortage of new properties, exacerbating the affordability gap for many Greeks.

The Decline In New Construction

From 2001 to 2011, Greece built an average of 52,000 new homes per year, with 31,000 of them in Attica. But from 2011 to 2021, this dropped to just 26,000 homes annually, with a mere 4,500 in Attica. The housing supply has fallen by as much as 85%-90% compared to the pre-crisis period. Though construction activity has revived in recent years, it is still far from meeting demand.

The Paradox Of Vacant Homes

One of the most perplexing aspects of Greece’s housing issue is the 700,000 vacant homes across the country, according to the latest census. While this large number suggests there should be enough supply, the crisis is fueled by other factors such as rising divorces and a growing number of single-member households, driving up demand.

Mortgage Decline And Shrinking Purchasing Power

Another critical indicator of the housing crisis is the dramatic drop in mortgages. In 2023, only 14,000 new mortgages were issued, compared to 115,000 in 2007. Meanwhile, disposable income in Greece is now at just 68% of the 2010 level, making it harder for people to afford homes. This has further increased pressure on the housing market as real estate prices continue to rise.

Urban Planning And Unused Land

Urban planning policies have also played a role in limiting housing supply. Expansive areas like Mesogeia and Eleonas in Attica remain largely unexploited, while restrictions on existing properties prevent efficient use of available land. These factors prevent the market from responding to growing demand.

Limited Real Estate Availability

Banks and servicers currently hold around 15,000 residential properties, but many of these are occupied, making it difficult to release them to the market. Though efforts to speed up their availability are underway, the overall supply remains limited.

Short-Term Rentals And Their Impact

While short-term rentals contribute to the housing shortage, they are not the primary cause. The real issue is that no new homes have been built in the past 15 years, and renovation costs have risen sharply. Additionally, high taxes and unpaid rents discourage owners from offering long-term leases.

Economic Disparity: Rising Prices vs. Stagnant Incomes

From 2015 to 2024, property prices increased by 5% annually, while average per capita income grew by just 3%. This disparity, coupled with the 20% annual growth in short-term rentals, has made homeownership increasingly out of reach for many Greeks.

Conclusion: A Call For Action

The housing crisis in Greece is multifaceted: insufficient new construction, limited availability of real estate, economic stagnation, and restrictive urban planning all contribute to the problem. Urgent policy changes, including incentives for new construction and better management of vacant properties, are needed to address the growing housing demand and restore affordability.

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.

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