The report explores the income and housing situation of different generations in the EU, assessing the implications for intergenerational fairness and their connection to demographic change. We compare income, homeownership and housing affordability for individuals across generations when they were of the same age.Recent generations, particularly at younger age, have experienced growing income challenges and limited access to affordable housing. In contrast to earlier-born cohorts, who generally improved their situation compared to the previous generation, younger individuals face stagnant income, rising poverty risk, and low-paying jobs. Income inequality is widening within their age group. These income dynamics intersect with larger disadvantages on the housing market for people of younger age. They are less likely to become homeowners. As tenants, they suffer from high housing costs more often than before. The changes in the income and housing situation across generations reflect demographic trends such as population ageing, smaller household sizes and mobility to urban areas. These trends imply significant barriers to homeownership and wealth accumulation for growing parts of recent generations. They have the potential to affect life choices, such as moving out of the parents’ home and family formation, and may result in lower opportunities and lasting intergenerational inequalities.
CICCOLINI Giuseppe;
ENDRICH Marek;
NEDEE Astrid;
NATALE Fabrizio;
2025-12-15
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC144437
978-92-68-35047-8 (online),
978-92-68-35048-5 (print),
1831-9424 (online),
1018-5593 (print),
EUR 40577,
EUR 40577 (print),
OP KJ-01-25-636-EN-N (online),
OP KJ-01-25-636-EN-C (print),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC144437,
10.2760/6294128 (online),
10.2760/3767276 (print),
