This is a record number that has continued to increase for 20 years. In study published this Tuesday, January 16, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) reveals that 3.1 million homes in France are not occupied. 8.2% of the real estate stock (excluding Mayotte) is considered vacant, without taking into account second homes.
A record number for more than 30 years: despite a slight decline between 2000 and 2004, unoccupied housing has been constantly increasing since 2005, with an average increase of 2.5% per year, according to INSEE. Although the study notes a slowdown in this trend since 2017, the study nevertheless notes an increase of almost 60% since 1990.
If this increase phenomenon affects all departments, the vacancy rate is higher in already less populated rural areas. In 2020, nine departments exceeded the 11% rate of vacant housing: Creuse, Nièvre, Ardennes, Cher, Yonne, Indre, Meuse, Orne and Vosges. In comparison, this rate was 9.2% for Paris.
A trend with multiple causes, explains INSEE, but some of which are “directly measurable such as the evolution of the population and construction”. Conversely, the influence of “the economic situation or tax and regulatory developments […] on the practices of individuals and promoters” are more difficult, specifies the institute.