Catalonia is completing only half the homes it needs

Catalonia has gained population since 2008, rising from 7.29 million inhabitants to 8.21 million in 2025. Over the same period, new housing output fell sharply: 71,000 homes were completed in 2008 and just over 6,500 in 2025, despite a small recent upturn.

The shift is explained by the bursting of the property bubble, which halted developments and cut off bank credit for many projects. Since then, construction has not returned to previous levels, while residential demand has continued to grow because of population growth and changes in household formation.

For owners, scarce supply can support demand for both purchases and rentals, although this depends heavily on the area and the price. For tenants, it often means more competition for available homes and greater difficulty accessing housing.