The price of housing is suffocating young people: almost half of those who share a flat would prefer to live alone, according to a study.

The housing crisis has led to a genuine housing emergency, especially in large cities such as Barcelona. Many people have shifted from renting full apartments to occupying only a room and sharing common areas (such as the living room, kitchen, and bathroom) with other tenants. According to data from Idealista, in 2023 the supply of rooms in shared apartments grew by 22%, a trend particularly strong in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Although most young people aspire to have their own home, economic difficulties force them to opt for flat-sharing as the only way to gain independence. A recent survey by HousingAnywhere, a platform specializing in medium-term rentals, shows that 46% of young people living in shared flats would prefer to live alone.

However, in Spain, the percentage of young people who wish to live alone is lower than the European average, standing seven points below. In countries such as the Netherlands, 60% of young people want complete independence. While this might initially seem to be a cultural issue, the shortage and high cost of rental housing are decisive factors in shaping this trend.

Housing prices remain the main obstacle to youth emancipation, both in Spain and across Europe. To put this into context, the average cost of renting a furnished apartment in Barcelona during the second quarter of 2025 was around €1,595 per month, while in Amsterdam it reached €2,685. It is important to note that salaries and living standards vary considerably between countries, which makes the situation even more difficult for young Spaniards.

The report also indicates that as age increases, fewer young people want to share a flat: the percentage of those who prefer to live alone rises from 46% among 18–20-year-olds to 61% in the 30–34 age group.

Looking at the behavior of those who share housing in Europe, 48% live with friends or flatmates, 10% live with their partner, and 16% still live with their parents. In Spain, only 14% of young people live alone, well below the continental average, while 52% share apartments with friends or roommates—keeping Barcelona and other major cities at the forefront of this housing trend.