Portugal Ranks 17th Worldwide in Homeownership Rates

Owning a home takes you one step closer to financial freedom. But countries with the highest ownership rates may not be exactly what you think.

Out of the top 10 countries, eight are current or former communist states, starting with Slovakia (93.5%), Romania (92.8%), Croatia (90.4%), and China (90%).

Portugal ranks 17th worldwide, with 72.1% homeowners, which is a bit lower than the 72.5% median rates in the European Union (EU).

The question is, where do some of the richest countries rank, such as Switzerland, Canada, and the United States? What do these rankings mean for Portugal? Here’s all you need to know.

What is Portugal's home ownership rate?

Portugal’s home ownership rate is 72.1% as of 2025, from the OECD Affordable Housing Database.

Portugal ranks among the top 20 countries for owner-occupied housing although it is not the richest economy in the world. These numbers are slightly lower than the average EU homeownership rates of 72.5%.

The homeownership rate is a share of households that own their homes with a mortgage or outright. These are occupied residential properties that owners live in, rather than renters.

What country has the highest rate of home ownership?

Slovakia has the highest home ownership rate in the world at 93.5%, based on the OECD data. Coming in at second is Romania with 92.8%, followed by Croatia at 90.4%, and China at 90%.

Other top 10 countries are Lithuania (86.9%), Bulgaria (85.2%), Poland (84.8%), and Latvia (80.6%). Most of these countries are not economic powerhouses, with the exception of China.

What countries have the lowest home ownership rates?

The country with the lowest share of homeowners is Colombia with 36%.

What may surprise you is that some of the wealthiest countries sit under the average OECD rate of 70.1%. Switzerland records a shocking 38.2%, the United States sits at 65.3%, Austria at 47.9%, while Canada has 68.6%.

The homeownership rate in Germany is also relatively low at 41%, which may shock many property buyers.

Why do many wealthy countries have lower ownership rates?

This data shows a specific geographical pattern that comes from direct housing policies over the last couple of decades.

With the end of the socialist system around 1989–1991, many people from Eastern European countries bought state-owned properties at affordable prices. These were often apartments or homes that they already lived in.

The biggest impact can be felt in China, when the country introduced an urban housing reform in the 1990s. Residents could buy public apartments at subsidized prices, and later, there was a new private housing sector.

However, countries like Germany and Switzerland, have excellent legal protection for tenants, affordable prices for long-term rents, and an organized rental market – all of which make people less likely to buy.

When it comes to Portugal, the ownership rates have been slightly falling. For some young buyers, the increasing house prices in Portugal can make it difficult to keep up. However, properties here are still more affordable than much of Western Europe.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is the first buyer’s agent in Portugal. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process. 

Unlike traditional real estate agents in Portugal who represent the seller, we are dedicated exclusively to protecting the buyer’s interests. 

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice. 

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price.
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time. We can also help you buy property remotely.
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
• Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.