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OECD: Mortgage-ownership rates fall in Ireland, UK, Spain

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Ireland’s rate dropped from 81% in the mid-1990s to 53% most recently.
The United Kingdom fell from 74% to 56% and Spain from 77% to 60%.
Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland each saw declines, while Slovakia, Czechia and Poland rose to 88%, 76% and 77%.
OECD experts cite higher mortgage rates since 2021, faster house-price growth than wages, and delayed labor entry as causes.

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Story summary

Ireland’s rate dropped from 81% in the mid-1990s to 53% most recently.
The United Kingdom fell from 74% to 56% and Spain from 77% to 60%.
Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland each saw declines, while Slovakia, Czechia and Poland rose to 88%, 76% and 77%.
OECD experts cite higher mortgage rates since 2021, faster house-price growth than wages, and delayed labor entry as causes.