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

Take a Virtual 360 Tour - Estab. 2-Bed Former Serviceman's Mid-Terrace Home with Off Road Parking x2

A delightful two-bedroom home with an open front outlook over open greensward, lounge features a cosy open fireplace, a sleek kitchen/diner flowing into an outside garden room, modern bathroom, generous storage, low-maintenance garden and private parking. Warm, stylish and ready to enjoy.

CLICK HERE >

Kickstart Your 2026 Move - Timescales to Be Under Offer by Spring

New Year, fresh goals, if moving home by spring 2026 is on your list, now’s the moment to plan. Understand how long properties took to go under offer and complete in 2025, and the key steps you need to hit your timeline. Read on to map out your best move ever.

CLICK HERE >

Are there more homes for sale across the UK?

This data shows a clear north–south split in UK housing supply. Homes for sale are rising across London and the South, while much of the North is seeing stock fall. The contrast raises questions about affordability, confidence, and whether higher supply in the South could limit house price growth into 2026.

CLICK HERE >

Percentage Change in the Private Rental Sector in the last 40 years

Private renting has grown across every UK region over the last 40 years, but the scale and pace are often misunderstood. This graphic shows how uneven that growth has been, shaped largely by the decline in social housing. Understanding this shift helps explain today’s housing balance and the choices ahead.

CLICK HERE >