This is how demography will affect the housing market. New report

By 2040, the share of people aged 65+ will increase to almost 30%. population, which will affect the structure of demand for apartments, but will also shift expectations regarding the standard of living and the way of using apartments towards safety, functionality and predictable costs – according to the Living 2040 report.

How will the real estate market change?

The report shows that as a result of demographic changes, ownership, renting and new forms of housing will complement each other, responding to different stages of life, financial possibilities and functioning style of residents.

“Consumer research carried out for the report shows that a significant number of Poles do not perceive their current housing situation as optimal, and in the next dozen or so years they declare their readiness to change their form of residence. Not only costs are of key importance, but also the functionality of apartments, the safety of the area and the location,” it was written in the press release.

“For 45 percent of respondents, the most important criterion for choosing an apartment is the price and cost of living, 42 percent point to the safety of the area, and 39 percent to peace and quiet. The prestige of the location remains important only for 11 percent of respondents, which shows a clear change in consumer priorities,” it added.

An apartment is no longer a “lifelong” decision

In the opinion of the authors of the report, housing is no longer just a one-time, “lifelong” decision and for an increasing number of people it is becoming an element of a life strategy – depending on the stage of career, family situation, health condition or professional mobility.

According to Skanska Residential experts, the housing market is currently at a turning point that requires a different approach to investment design and planning.

“The Living 2040 report shows that the future of the market will be based on greater flexibility, security and long-term thinking – responding to various needs and stages of residents' lives. In practice, this means greater emphasis on functionality, access to services, greenery and predictable costs of use, and not only on the standard of the premises itself,” says Aleksandra Goller, Sales and Marketing Director, Skanska Residential.

The report shows that factors related to the apartment's surroundings are increasingly outweighing the standard of the premises itself: 37 percent. respondents indicate the location (proximity to work and school), 34 percent access to green areas, and 32 percent access to services, at 30 percent indications for the standard of the apartment.

As reported, the evolution of the behavior of housing market users is shown by market data from the Nieruchomosci-online.pl advertising portal – more and more people treat housing as a solution tailored to a specific stage of life, rather than one decision made once and for all.

32 percent respondents do not live in their own apartment or house – this includes both people renting (15%) and living with family or friends without formal payments (17%). At the same time, flexible housing models, such as coliving or subscriptions, remain niche for now (1%), despite growing life and professional mobility.

The Living 2040 report was prepared by Open Format in cooperation with Skanska Residential and the advertising portal Nieruchomosci-online.pl. (PAP Business)

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