Single buyers strengthened their position on Belgium’s housing market in 2025, accounting for 42% of all residential property purchases, according to new figures from the Belgian Federation of Notaries. Their share increased by two percentage points compared with 2024, reflecting the continued rise of one-person households across the country.
Couples remained the largest group of buyers, representing 55% of transactions, while properties purchased by three or more buyers accounted for 3% of sales.
The figures show a clear distinction between housing types. Solo people were particularly active in the apartment market, where they represented 57% of buyers. Couples accounted for 37% of apartment purchases. In the housing market, however, couples dominated with a 63% share, compared with 35% for single buyers.
One-person households continue to grow
The increase in single-property buyers mirrors broader demographic trends. According to the latest figures from Belgium’s national statistics office, there were 5.2 million one-person households on 1 January 2025, an increase of more than 36,000 compared with a year earlier. They now represent 36.3% of all households in Belgium.
Married couples with children accounted for 18.5% of households, while married couples without children represented 18.1%. Cohabiting couples made up 14.8% of households, and single-parent families accounted for 10%.
The notaries’ federation noted that single-person households have steadily increased over recent years and continue to play a significant role in the property market. Apartments remain particularly attractive to this group because they are generally smaller and more affordable than houses.
Brussels leads for single buyers
Regional differences remain striking.
In 2025, single buyers represented 52% of all residential property purchases in the Brussels-Capital Region, making it the only Belgian region where they accounted for more than half of transactions. In Wallonia, singles represented 45% of purchases, while in Flanders their share stood at 39%.
The dominance of single buyers was even more pronounced in the apartment market. In Wallonia, 64% of apartment purchases were made by singles, compared with 61% in Brussels and 55% in Flanders.
For house purchases, Wallonia again recorded the highest share of single buyers at 42%, followed by Flanders at 32%. Brussels recorded the lowest share, with singles accounting for 26% of house purchases.
Antwerp province tops apartment purchases
Among Belgium’s provinces, Antwerp recorded the highest proportion of single buyers purchasing apartments, at 61%.
Limburg followed with 59%, while East Flanders recorded 58%. West Flanders had the lowest share of single apartment buyers, at 42%.
For house purchases, West Flanders led the rankings, with singles accounting for 37% of buyers. East Flanders followed at 34%, while Limburg recorded 32%.
Property prices rise for all buyer groups
Single buyers paid an average of €273,391 for a residential property in Belgium during 2025, up 5.6% from €258,971 in 2024.
The average price paid by a single buyer for an apartment reached €257,020, an increase of 3.3%. For houses, the average rose by 7% to €284,340.
In Flanders, single buyers paid an average of €300,451 for a property, up 3.1% year on year. Apartments purchased by singles averaged €267,689, while houses averaged €323,850.
Couples spent considerably more. The average purchase price for a couple reached €369,254 in 2025, a rise of 6.5% compared with the previous year.
Couples paid an average of €302,661 for an apartment and €384,718 for a house. In Flanders, the average property purchase by a couple cost €394,526.
Overall, single buyers purchased significantly cheaper homes than couples or groups of buyers. Properties purchased by three or more buyers averaged €401,084.
The notaries’ federation attributed the higher spending power of couples to their greater borrowing capacity, allowing them to target more expensive properties and invest more heavily in apartments than many single buyers purchasing houses.
Brussels leads for single buyers
Regional differences remain striking.
In 2025, single buyers represented 52% of all residential property purchases in the Brussels-Capital Region, making it the only Belgian region where they accounted for more than half of transactions. In Wallonia, singles represented 45% of purchases, while in Flanders their share stood at 39%.
The dominance of single buyers was even more pronounced in the apartment market. In Wallonia, 64% of apartment purchases were made by singles, compared with 61% in Brussels and 55% in Flanders.
For house purchases, Wallonia again recorded the highest share of single buyers at 42%, followed by Flanders at 32%. Brussels recorded the lowest share, with singles accounting for 26% of house purchases.
Antwerp province tops apartment purchases
Among Belgium’s provinces, Antwerp recorded the highest proportion of single buyers purchasing apartments, at 61%.
Limburg followed with 59%, while East Flanders recorded 58%. West Flanders had the lowest share of single apartment buyers, at 42%.
For house purchases, West Flanders led the rankings, with singles accounting for 37% of buyers. East Flanders followed at 34%, while Limburg recorded 32%.
Property prices rise for all buyer groups
Single buyers paid an average of €273,391 for a residential property in Belgium during 2025, up 5.6% from €258,971 in 2024.
The average price paid by a single buyer for an apartment reached €257,020, an increase of 3.3%. For houses, the average rose by 7% to €284,340.
In Flanders, single buyers paid an average of €300,451 for a property, up 3.1% year on year. Apartments purchased by singles averaged €267,689, while houses averaged €323,850.
Couples spent considerably more. The average purchase price for a couple reached €369,254 in 2025, a rise of 6.5% compared with the previous year.
Couples paid an average of €302,661 for an apartment and €384,718 for a house. In Flanders, the average property purchase by a couple cost €394,526.
Overall, single buyers purchased significantly cheaper homes than couples or groups of buyers. Properties purchased by three or more buyers averaged €401,084.
The notaries’ federation attributed the higher spending power of couples to their greater borrowing capacity, allowing them to target more expensive properties and invest more heavily in apartments than many single buyers purchasing houses.
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