Can't and Want: Perceptions of Housing Affordability

More than 60 percent of respondents in a new ING International survey say they want to own a home. Up to 56 percent think they'll never be able to.

Data from Zillow says that the median home price has risen nearly 33 percent since 2012, while average hourly earnings have increased only 14 percent. Emergent Research anticipates the amount of people working in the gig economy will be up to 9.2 million by 2021 from 3.9 million in 2016, affecting the likelihood of potential homebuyers qualifying for a mortgage, Fortune reports.

As ING points out, just because people are pessimistic doesn’t mean they’ve given up. Three in five Europeans—and 70 percent of the 18-34 age group—would still like to own their own home, not least because they see it as a sign of success, as well as a smart money move.

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