A study published by INSEE shows that while the number of available homes has increased in France in recent years, more and more properties are being left vacant.
While the question of housing is increasingly central, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies is taking stock this Wednesday of the situation in France on January 1, 2022. Here are 3 figures to remember from this annual survey.
37.6million housing units in France
INSEE indicates that there are currently 37.6 million dwellings in France (excluding Mayottre). 12.9 million new homes were thus built over the period 1982-2022, i.e. an increase in the French housing stock of 1.1% on average since 1980. The institute notes however a slowdown in this increase since 2007 and even more over the past five years (+0.9%). In detail, in 2022, out of 100 dwellings, there are 82 main residences, 10 secondary residences and 8 vacant dwellings.
Still more vacant homes
While the real estate market remains tight in France, with the number of applications greatly exceeding the number of properties in certain areas, the study notes an ever-increasing number of vacant homes since 2007. Over the period 2007-2022, they are like this increasing by +2.7% per year, against +0.4% between 1982 and 2007.
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Among the possible explanations for this phenomenon, INSEE puts forward a mismatch between supply and demand, the fact that the dwellings are not in a state to be lived in, but also the consequence of the departure of elderly people to a retirement home, without the property being put up for sale or rented. However, the Institute notes a slowdown in the number of vacant homes over the 2017-2022 period (+1.2% against 2.6% over the previous five years).
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The number of owners remains stable
Last lesson of this INSEE note, nearly six out of ten households own their home (58%). A stable share since 2010, just like that of homeowners, 20% for about fifteen years. And of all of those primary residence owners, 37% no longer have repayment charges.