A. M. 
The rise in housing prices, reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has become a global trend that especially affects high and low-income countries. In the last decade, prices have risen by 37% in real terms, outpacing income growth by 16% on average. This phenomenon not only reflects a rising real estate market, but also a significant challenge for homebuyers, especially among the younger sectors.
The generational impact of this crisis is evident. According to OECD surveys, 60% of young people between the ages of 18 and 39 express concern about housing affordability, in contrast to only 38% of people over the age of 55. This problem is more pronounced in countries such as Ireland, Canada and the United States, where the generation gap in access to housing is particularly wide, increasing social tensions.
Cultural and historical factors also explain the differences in ownership rates. In Eastern Europe, countries such as Romania reach very high levels of homeownership, with 94% of citizens owning their homes, while in Switzerland this figure barely reaches 5%. These disparities reflect not only economic conditions, but also the public policies that have shaped access to housing.
In the area of renting, the situation is equally worrying. On average, 16% of OECD citizens rent from private landlords, but the poorest face enormous difficulties. In Colombia, for example, 82% of renters in the lowest income quintile spend more than 40% of their income on rent, reflecting a poorly regulated and highly unequal housing market.
The situation is not improving for those with mortgages. High interest rates have increased the financial burden on the most vulnerable homeowners. In countries such as Colombia and Luxembourg, more than half of the poorest homeowners spend at least 40% of their income on mortgage debt payments. This highlights the urgent need for policies that promote housing affordability and reduce inequalities in access to this basic right.
