In Romania, 96.1% of the population owns the home they live in. In Switzerland the percentage is 37.4%.

Home ownership rates vary significantly across the country. The lowest rates are found in the canton of Basel-City (16.0%) and Geneva (18.3%). Relative to these two cities, home ownership abounds in Valais (57.2%), the highest. Vaud (31.4%), Zurich (28.5%), Bern (39.9%), and Luzern (34.8%) are all in between.

In addition, there is a correlation between age and ownership. 47.5% of those 65 and older own, while only 26.1% of those between 25 and 65 do. Rising prices probably explain some of this difference.

While Swiss home ownership lags behind much of the world it increased from 31.3%, in 1990, to 37.4% in 2014, a 19.5% rise. The biggest gainers were Basel (+45.5%), Zurich (+36.4%), and Geneva (+32.6%). Only one canton, Obwalden (-9.0%), saw a decline.

In nations like the UK, where buying a home is considered a cultural rite of passage, ownership rates have gone in the opposite direction. After peaking in April 2003, at 71%, UK home ownership slumped to 64% in February 2016, according to the Resolution Foundation. Outer London (-13.5%) and Greater Manchester (-14.5%), declined the most.

The US shows a similar trend. After peaking at 69% in 2004, the rate was 64.5% by 2014. And like Switzerland, home ownership in America’s principal cities is much lower than the average – it was 49.9% in 2014. Unlike Switzerland however, the ownership level in key US cities has stayed flat at 49%, showing few signs of growth.

More on this:
Swiss home ownership rates (in French) - Take a 5 minute French test now
European home ownership rates (in English)
UK home ownership rates (in English)
US home ownership rates (in English)

For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.