Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, released early this week a report on housing in the European Union and the EFTA States (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). The report mainly focuses on dwelling types, housing quality and tenure status.
The work is aimed at providing an overview on the latest statistics on housing in the 28 Member States and the EFTA group to help to ensure the fundamental right to decent housing in a safe environment is met.
According to the report, in 2014 more than half (59.3%) of the population in the EU and EFTA countries lived in houses and 40.0% in flats. The majority of people were owner of their dwellings, with over two-thirds (70.1%) of the population living in owner-occupied dwellings, while 29.9% were renting their dwelling.
Despite the fact that the European Union does not have any specific competences with respect to housing, the majority of the EU Member States face similar challenges of homelessness and social housing.
You can find the Housing Conditions in 2014 Report here.