% of People Who Live in Houses

% of People Who Live in Houses

Across Europe, where people live tells a fascinating story about culture, land use, and housing supply.

At one end of the spectrum, Ireland stands out, with over 90% of people living in houses. That’s the highest in Europe and reflects a long-standing preference for low-density living, combined with greater land availability and a strong tradition of home ownership.

At the other end, Kosovo sits at just 25.1%, making it the lowest. Much of Eastern and parts of Southern Europe lean more towards apartment living, often shaped by historic urban planning, economic factors, and higher-density city environments.

Looking at some of the larger countries, the contrasts are clear.

The United Kingdom comes in at 79.3%, placing it firmly towards the higher end and much closer to Ireland than mainland Europe. In comparison, Germany sits at 38.5%, Spain at 34.6%, and Italy at 40.8% — all markets where apartment living dominates, particularly in urban areas.

Meanwhile, France (63.5%) and Poland (58.4%) sit somewhere in the middle, with a more balanced mix of houses and flats.

The UK’s bias towards houses isn’t the global norm. It shapes buyer expectations, land values, and pricing dynamics.

In simple terms, we operate in a market where the house is still king — and that continues to influence everything from demand patterns to long-term housing policy debates.

So what do you think — is the UK’s love of houses cultural, or simply a result of how we’ve built our towns and cities?