How Do Attleborough’s First-Time Buyers Compare with the Rest of the World?

Getting on the housing ladder in the UK is no easy feat, with property prices and inflation meaning it can take first-time buyers (FTBs) years to save the deposit for their first home.

As a result, the average age of an FTB in this country has risen to 34*. For context, it was 29 in 1981.

So, how does this compare to other countries? Are FTBs in Spain, South Africa or Switzerland older or younger**? Let’s take a look.

Switzerland

The land of luxury watches, decadent chocolates and yodelling has another claim to fame: its FTBs are the oldest in the world.

Property is expensive in Switzerland, with the average house costing 1.2 million francs*** (equivalent to just over a million pounds). As a result, the average age for a Swiss FTB is 48.

High property prices and the legal requirement for a 20% deposit mean many people rent. Only 36% of the Swiss population owns their home, compared to 65% in the UK.

The rest of Europe

Belgium has the youngest FTBs in Europe (average age 27), followed by France and Austria (31), Germany (34), Romania (36) and Spain (41).

Interestingly, as in Switzerland, many Germans never buy a home. Less than half of the population are owner-occupiers, a statistic attributed to high transaction taxes, positive attitudes towards renting and a strong social housing sector.

Australia and New Zealand

Aussies tend to be obsessed with real estate, especially in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, where property prices (which have boomed over the past decade) are a popular topic of conversation.

First-timers get on the ladder around the age of 36, often helped along by the generosity of the Bank of Mum and Dad. The average age for their Kiwi neighbours to buy their first home is 35.

Africa and North America

The average age of FTBs in South Africa and Kenya is 35, and in Nigeria, it’s 40. Looking across the pond, in the US, the average age of newcomers to the property market is 33, while in Canada, it’s 36.

Looking to turn your dream of buying your first home into a reality? Get in touch.

We’re here to help – contact us today.

*Source: Coventry Building Society

**Source: Money.co.uk

***Source: Rigby AG.

Get in touch with us

First Name

Last Name

Your Email Address

Mobile Phone

Are you looking to

Buy

Sell

Rent

Let

Please enter message here

Please confirm that it is okay for us to contact you about this information as well as our products and services. By confirming, you also agree to the use of cookies to enhance your experience. (You will always have the right to unsubscribe or manage your cookie preferences at any point in the future.)

Confirm

The Percentage of households with 4 or more people in Attleborough

What does Attleborough really look like beyond house prices? This map highlights where larger households are most common, revealing where families and shared living arrangements are concentrated. The pattern shows how different neighbourhoods function as distinct micro markets, each shaped by the people who live there. Click to learn more...

CLICK HERE >

Looking to Buy? Be Ready for the Right Home

April is a good time for buyers to focus on readiness rather than guesswork. In a market where choice has improved but confidence remains mixed, being organised can make all the difference when the right home comes along.

CLICK HERE >

The True Cost of Overpricing: Why 'Testing the Market' Can Undermine Your Sale in 2026

In today's property market, the temptation to 'test the market' with an ambitious asking price can be strong if you're not in any particular hurry to sell. However, this strategy often backfires, costing vendors valuable time, credibility, and ultimately, money. Let's explore why.

CLICK HERE >

Renew, Move or Wait? A Tenant’s April Guide

For tenants, April is a useful point to pause and plan. With rents still rising across the UK and the first phase of rental reform approaching in England, this is a good time to review your budget, renewal options and next move.

CLICK HERE >