Home ownership in Malta declines, approaches EU average

Home ownership in Malta continued to decline, Eurostat data shows, with the island’s housing landscape approaching the European Union average. About 68.1% of residents in Malta live in owner-occupied homes, while 31.9% rent their accommodation, placing the country almost exactly in line with the EU-wide split of 68.4% owners and 31.6% tenants. The figures suggest that, despite Malta’s strong cultural preference for home ownership, renting has become a firmly established part of the housing system rather than a marginal alternative.

This balance positions Malta alongside countries such as Finland and the Netherlands, rather than Southern and Eastern European states where ownership rates frequently exceed 80 or even 90 percent. Malta’s slightly lower-than-average ownership rate may reflect recent pressures on the housing market, including rapid population growth, increased foreign demand and rising property prices, which have made home ownership less accessible for younger households and new residents. As a result, the rental market has expanded to absorb this demand, particularly in urban areas.

Across the European Union, the data reveals sharp contrasts in housing tenure. Eastern and Central European countries such as Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary record the highest ownership rates, often above 90 percent, largely due to mass privatisation of housing stock after the fall of communism. At the other end of the spectrum, Western and Northern countries, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, and France. have much larger rental sectors, supported by strong tenant protections and well-developed long-term rental markets. Germany stands out as the EU’s lowest home-ownership country, with a majority of its population renting.

EP to address housing issues

On Monday, members of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis are set to vote on their final recommendations aimed at tackling housing challenges across the European Union. The committee’s own-initiative report addresses pressing issues such as access to decent, sustainable, and affordable housing across EU member states. It proposes a range of measures to support housing policies, improve social inclusion, and ensure long-term sustainability of housing markets.

Once adopted at committee level, the report will advance to the March plenary session in Strasbourg, where all MEPs will have the opportunity to vote on its recommendations. The committee was established in 2022 in response to rising housing costs and shortages in many member states, reflecting growing concerns over affordability and social impact within the EU.