Fewer and fewer Argentinians can afford to own a home
Argentina has 600,000 more renter households than in 2016, as houseownership becomes out of reach, even for higher-income households La entrada Fewer and fewer Argentinians can afford to own a home se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
Homeownership in Argentina has been declining for the past decade, according to a report by Fundación Mediterránea. The share of homeowners decreased from 71% in 2016 to 68% in 2026, resulting in 597,000 more renter households than a decade ago. The report, based on data from Argentina's official statistics agency, INDEC, was authored by economists Laura Caullo and Guadalupe Galíndez.
They noted that renting is becoming a prolonged stage for many, not limited to younger or lower-income households. Among the lowest income deciles, the share of renters remained nearly unchanged, while middle- and upper-income households saw the sharpest increases. The report highlighted that even with relatively high incomes, having a home no longer guarantees homeownership.
The growing gap between wages and housing prices is a key factor, as most salaries are paid in pesos while properties are priced in U.S. dollars. This has made it difficult to accumulate savings, even among higher-income households. In 2026, formally registered wages rose by just 0.2% from January to September, down 7% since November 2023.
This trend is evident among households headed by people aged 30 to 49, where the share of renters increased from 49% in 2016 to 57% in 2026, accounting for approximately 77% of the increase over the past decade. The experts emphasized that renting is extending beyond the first years of adulthood, affecting people in their 40s as well.
Access to mortgage financing is also a challenge, with a limited reach and high levels of informal employment. The required down payment, typically 25% to 30% of the property's value, is a significant obstacle for many. In different provinces, the time required to accumulate the necessary savings varies, ranging from 5 to 9.6 years.
The report suggests that reversing this trend requires rebuilding the mortgage financing system, ensuring long-term savings sources back 20- or 30-year loans, which is difficult with predominantly short-term bank deposits.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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