The Mystery of Vacant Housing in France: When Supply Exceeds Demand.
According to a comprehensive study by INSEE, one-quarter of primary residences in France have three more rooms than necessary. This structural phenomenon—linked to age, homeownership, and residential stability—calls into question housing policies in a market that remains tight.
A France of Empty Homes… But Not Abandoned
The figure is surprising: 7.6 million homes in France are considered to be “severely underoccupied,” meaning they have at least three more rooms than necessary given the number of occupants. In 93% of cases, these are single-family homes—often older properties larger than 100 m²—occupied by one or two people, typically elderly couples or widows and widowers who have remained in the family home after their children have moved out.
The residents? Sixty percent are people over the age of 60, most of whom have owned their homes for a long time. Homes that have become “too big” are often a legacy of a past life and are rarely seen as a burden. In fact, only 9% of the residents of these homes say they want to move, compared with 27% of the general population.
Which areas are most affected? Rural regions and the western part of the country. Brittany tops the list, with 36% of homes affected, followed by the Pays de la Loire and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Conversely, dense and expensive urban areas such as Île-de-France and PACA are much less affected, as are the overseas departments. Paris stands out as an exception: there is little under-occupancy… but in terms of volume, this still amounts to 56,000 homes, often three-bedroom or larger apartments occupied by a single person.
A major obstacle to the market… that’s hard to overcome
This phenomenon is not new, but it is becoming more pronounced. In 2006, 22% of housing units were severely underoccupied. By 2022, that rate had risen to 25%, and could continue to grow as the population ages. According to INSEE projections, people aged 60–85 will account for 27% of the population in 2040, up from 24% in 2022.
A long-term trend that is causing a growing portion of the residential housing stock to remain unchanged.
Residential mobility among these households is low. This is due in part to emotional attachment and in part to a lack of suitable alternative housing options nearby. And above all, because this “excess” space still serves a purpose: to accommodate children from time to time, grandchildren during vacations, or to generate temporary rental income. The perception that a home is “too big” is therefore not universal.
Faced with this reality, public policy makers are struggling: it is difficult to convince seniors to move, or to tax under-occupancy without alienating an electorate that is largely made up of homeowners. Alternative forms of shared housing (intergenerational living arrangements, adaptable apartments, senior solidarity leases) are emerging, but remain marginal. Yet the stakes are strategic: in a tight housing market, freeing up existing developed land is just as crucial as new construction.
Source: INSEE, study titled “One Room Too Many?”, July 2025
