UK homes some of the smallest on the planet: Does size really matter?

With the 'race for space' back in the news this week following new data that revealed how detached homes accounted for a third of property sales over the past twelve months, it will be little comfort to house hunters that the UK is home to one of the smallest average property sizes in the world.

Related topics:  Property,  Housing
Property | Reporter
31st May 2023
tiny house 510
"The UK remains home to one of the most valuable bricks-and-mortar property markets in the world and those looking to climb the ladder will pay considerably more when compared to many other foreign countries"

Research by digital home information pack provider, Moverly, has shown that while UK homebuyers are paying far higher for a property compared to many other global nations, the average size of a UK home is one of the smallest, with homes in just China, Russia and India coming in smaller.

Moverly analysed the average size of a home across 19 global nations and how they compare to the UK.

The research shows that, at an average of just 818 sq ft, the UK is home to one of the smallest average property sizes in the world. In fact, of the other 19 nations analysed by Moverly, just China (646 sq ft), Russia (614 sq ft) and India (504 sq ft) were home to a smaller average property size.

In contrast, Australia tops the table, where the average home comes in 182% larger than the UK at 2,303 sq ft.

New Zealand (2,303 sq ft), the United States (2,164 sq ft) and Canada (1,948 sq ft) are also home to some of the largest homes, between 138% and 166% larger than the UK.

At an average of 1,475 sq ft, Denmark boasts the largest average property size of the European nations analysed by Moverly, followed by Greece (1,356 sq ft) and Belgium (1,293 sq ft).

The average home in the Netherlands (54%), France (47%), Germany (43%) and Spain (28%) also comes in some way above the UK average.

But it’s not just size where these nations are beating the Brits when it comes to bricks and mortar.

The average price of a home in the UK is currently £351 per sq ft, far higher than the average price of property in Germany (£236), Canada (£218), France (£212), Australia (£208), Spain (£141) and the United States (£126).

Moverly co-founder Ed Molyneux commented:

“Housing delivery and just where to build is a hot topic in the UK and with space being such a valuable commodity, UK homes rank as some of the smallest when compared to many other global nations.

"Despite this, the UK remains home to one of the most valuable bricks and mortar property markets in the world and those looking to climb the ladder will pay considerably more when compared to many other foreign countries.”

More like this
CLOSE
Subscribe
to our newsletter

Join a community of over 20,000 landlords and property specialists and keep up-to-date with industry news and upcoming events via our newsletter.