The average age for a first-time home buyer in 23 European countries is 31.3 years, with Malta at 28 and Switzerland/Greece at 34.7. Factors like affordability, family support, and cultural acceptance of renting significantly influence these ages. The UK has the youngest buyers at 28.4, partly due to high family financial aid.
Knight Frank's 2026 Wealth Report reveals global billionaire population will grow 26% to 3,915 by 2031, with Europe adding 214 billionaires (27% growth). Saudi Arabia leads all nations with 183% growth, while Poland tops European rankings at 123%. Asia-Pacific holds 36% of global billionaires, though Europe and Americas remain significant wealth hubs.
Prague recorded the strongest prime property price growth in Europe at 14.6% in 2025, according to Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026. Alpine ski resorts and Mediterranean destinations dominated the top rankings, with French Méribel (9%), Portuguese Porto (8.5%) and Spanish Marbella (8.1%) posting strong gains. London saw the steepest decline in Europe at 4.7%, while Tokyo emerged as the global outlier with a 58.5% surge. The report notes that wealth creation is supporting luxury property demand despite broader economic pressures.
House prices rose by 5.5% in the EU in the last quarter of 2025, with stronger growth in some tourist-attractive countries such as Portugal, Croatia and Spain. Experts explain the differences between countries for Euronews Business.
