World Data Lab
Isometric wireframe city blocks glowing on a violet data grid

Category

Housing

Global housing spending is projected to rise from USD 14.5T in 2026 to USD 22.8T by 2035, reflecting urbanisation pressures, demographic shifts and evolving living standards across diverse economies.

USD 14.5T

Spending in 2026

USD 22.8T

Spending in 2035

+5.93%

2026 growth rate

Isometric wireframe city blocks glowing on a violet data grid
Housing - modelled across 190+ countries and 9,000+ cities

A truly global category

Spending on housing is set to rise by USD 8.3T over the next decade.

The increase is driven by population growth, continued urbanisation and rising construction and land costs in major metropolitan areas. Housing remains both the most fundamental necessity and one of the largest structural growth stories in consumer spending.

Strong near-term momentum

Housing is projected to grow 5.93% in 2026, outpacing many other consumer categories.

Household formation is accelerating and housing supply is struggling to keep pace with demand in key markets. That imbalance shapes rent burdens, utility spend and where discretionary income lands next.

Stark inequality across markets

In Brazil, the median household spends 36% of budget on housing versus 22% for the average.

In China, the median spends 34% versus 23% for the average. In Spain (26% vs 23%) and Japan (29% vs 26%) the burden falls more evenly. These disparities highlight the uneven weight of housing costs and the urgent need for policy intervention in the most affected markets.

Why it matters

Housing spend is the anchor of every other category. It determines discretionary income and shapes where growth actually shows up.

Category stat

22.8T USD

Category size by 2035

Housing

What's inside

Category detail, done properly

  • Rent, imputed rent, utilities and maintenance
  • Urban vs. rural splits per country
  • Household size and generational cohort views
  • Refreshed 4x per year
Access the data

Download our insights on

Housing

A concise slide deck of the key housing spending trends across 190+ countries and 9,000+ cities, projected through 2040.

By submitting, you agree to our privacy policy.

Ready to explore Housing?

Book a walkthrough with our research team, or start a free trial today.