Housing or the price of bad policies

Between 2015 and 2025, housing prices in Portugal surged by 180%, while salaries only increased by 43.9%. This disparity has fueled significant discontent among young people and the middle class, leading to protests for housing rights. Despite various government initiatives aimed at improving housing access, such as tax incentives and public guarantees for young homebuyers, these measures have failed to make housing more affordable. The construction sector remains historically low, hindered by licensing issues and a lack of investment. The rising demand, exacerbated by immigration and family structure changes, has outpaced supply, worsening the housing crisis. Calls for urgent, effective solutions are growing, yet the government continues to propose ineffective measures, leaving the fundamental issues unresolved.