Young people's participation in the rental market is at its lowest since before the pandemic.

Young people are losing ground in the real estate market. This is evident from the report "X-ray of housing in the first half of 2025," prepared by Fotocasa Research . The 18- to 24-year-old population has dropped five points in terms of real estate market participation, from 35% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. On the other hand, the 25- to 34-year-old group has grown, from 44% in 2024 to 47% in 2025.

As for the next block, 35 to 44 years old, their share has grown from 31% to 34%. The results for the first segment are especially worrying , because the 18 to 24 age group, along with the 25 to 34 age group, is one of the largest market share groups, but this year it has seen a significant drop of five percentage points. As for the rest of the demographics, the share of citizens between 45 and 54 years old has decreased six points , from 26% to 20%, while that of the 55 to 75 age group has remained stable at 16%.

According to statements by María Matos , Director of Research at Fotocasa, " the sharp rise in housing prices is progressively forcing groups with lower purchasing power, especially young people, out of the market." Matos cites the main reasons for this exclusion as the precarious and temporary employment profile of young people, which forces many to indefinitely postpone their emancipation, or at best, to share a home to stay in the market.

According to the new results, the population group comprising citizens between 25 and 34 years of age is the most active in the real estate market. This age group represents 28% of individuals active in the market. They are followed by members of the next age group, those aged 35 to 44, who register a rate of 22%.

Quite far behind both demographics is the third largest group in terms of market presence, those aged 45 to 54, with a 12% share, five percentage points less than a year ago. They are followed by young people aged 18 to 24, who drop two percentage points to 11%. The last group, therefore, is the 55 to 75 age group, with an activity rate of 9%, one percentage point less than a year ago.

As for the rental market, the outlook is far from encouraging for younger people. In the last year, the 18- to 24-year-old segment's share of the rental market has dropped four points , to 23%, the lowest figure since February 2018. Despite maintaining its position as the second most active group , this is a historically low rate, having reached participation rates of 40% in the past.

The most active group in the rental market, on the other hand, is the 25- to 34-year-old group, with 26%. The 35- to 44-year-old group follows with 17%, followed by the 45- to 54-year-old group with 10%. Finally, the 55- to 75-year-old group has the lowest participation, at 8%, although this is one percentage point higher than a year ago.