Single-person households have emerged as a powerful force reshaping the real estate market across major cities. This demographic shift has prompted developers to adapt their strategies, focusing on smaller apartment units. However, the growing demand from solo dwellers is outpacing supply, leading to significant price increases that paradoxically affect these same individuals.
“We’re seeing a clear trend toward smaller living spaces,” explains Jan Martina, a real estate agent at M&M Reality. “While two-room apartments were once the standard choice, they’re now considered a luxury, especially in Prague. Most clients are opting for studio apartments instead.”
The statistics tell a compelling story: between 2011 and 2021, the proportion of single-person households jumped from 32% to 39%. This demographic includes young professionals, divorced individuals, and seniors living alone. In Prague alone, the number of single households increased by 82,000 during this period, while only 50,000 new apartments were built.
The rental market has become particularly challenging for solo dwellers. According to Deloitte’s data, rental prices across the Czech Republic rose by 6% last year, reaching 309 crowns per square meter monthly. For a typical 50-square-meter apartment, this translates to 15,500 crowns per month, with additional security deposits creating significant financial barriers.
An interesting trend has emerged in response to these challenges: the decline of “mingles” – couples who previously chose to live separately. “Rising living costs are now the primary motivation for couples to move in together,” notes Martin Ponzer, CEO of Bezrealitky. Some are even taking it a step further, with multiple couples or single parents sharing larger apartments to split costs, a living arrangement that was previously common only among students.