Poland may face millions of vacant homes by 2045 as demand wanes—report

Poland’s housing shortage could vanish within years while vacancies surge to nearly 3.6 million by 2045, driven by demographic decline, a report cited by Rzeczpospolita said.

Depopulating areas may see schools, hospitals and services disappear, leaving mainly older residents and worsening quality of life and healthcare, the newspaper reported.

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Crédit Agricole Bank Polska’s study, seen by Rzeczpospolita, estimates the country will add about 1.7 million vacant dwellings by 2045.

The sharpest demand drop is projected in villages, small towns and the Silesian conurbation, while the housing gap is expected to close first in Wrocław and then in Warsaw.

Depopulating areas may see schools, hospitals and services disappear, leaving mainly older residents and worsening quality of life and healthcare, the newspaper reported.

“The analysis reveals municipalities that are shrinking, with homes locked behind rusty padlocks,” said Jakub Borowski, chief economist at Crédit Agricole Bank Polska, adding some places could resemble Sicilian towns where properties sell for a symbolic euro.

Demographics are the main driver, the report said. According to Statistics Poland (GUS), the number of households is expected to begin falling after 2030—by as many as 2 million by 2045.

(jh)

Source: PAP, Rzeczpospolita