Structural housing shortage persists in the Netherlands, Dutch Living Outlooks shows

December 4, 2025

The Dutch residential market remains structurally undersupplied. This is one of the key conclusions of Bouwinvest’s Dutch Living Outlook 2026–2028. Despite a moderate economic recovery and improving investor sentiment, demand for rental housing continues to outpace the available supply. Demographic trends and insufficient new-build production remain the dominant drivers of rental market dynamics.

The outlook shows that demand for high-quality, future-proof housing solutions will continue to rise, both in major urban areas and in surrounding regions.

Key insights from the Dutch Living Outlook 2026–2028

• New-build production continues to fall short of policy targets

• Rental growth remains evident, driven by strong demand

• Regional differentiation in rental and value dynamics is increasing

• ESG performance and building quality become critical to value development

• Institutional capital remains essential to delivering affordable and sustainable housing solutions

What does this mean for investors?

The outlook reinforces that rental housing will continue to hold a core position within real estate portfolios. Successful investments will focus on quality, sustainability and locations with strong demand fundamentals. The most attractive opportunities arise in projects that combine liveability, affordability and strong ESG performance. For long-term capital, residential real estate remains a resilient source of stable income.

Download the Dutch Living Outlook 2026-2028

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