At the Rome launch of the Global Comparative Report on Security of Property Rights for Land and Housing in 2024 presented by Prindex initiative on October 22, alarming new data revealed that 1.1 billion people worldwide feel insecure about their property rights, reflecting an escalating global crisis in housing and land tenure. The findings, derived from Prindex data, present a worrying increase from 19% of the adult population in the surveyed 108 countries in 2020 to 23% in 2024—meaning almost one in four adults now fear losing their homes or land.

"The idea that over a billion people live with the fear that they could lose their homes should be a wake-up call for policymakers.” Said Anna Locke, co-author of the Prindex report, who opened the event. “We can’t have sustainable development without security of tenure," Locke said, calling for urgent action from governments, development agencies, and civil society.

A global crisis driven by financial and political instability

The Prindex report reveals that financial pressures, intensified by economic turbulence and soaring housing costs, are driving tenure insecurity across both high- and low-income countries. This issue is particularly severe in East Asia and Pacific, where tenure insecurity has surged by over 176 million people since 2020—primarily in China—bringing the total number of people feeling insecure in the region to 415 million. In 38 countries, financial challenges like climbing rents and mortgage expenses are now the primary cause of insecurity, up from 24 in 2020.

At the Rome event, Anna Locke emphasised that rising housing expenses in regions like North America and Europe are contributing to a heightened sense of instability, even in traditionally stable housing markets. "It's critical that governments move quickly to expand affordable housing programs and introduce stronger renter protections," Locke said. "This is not just a low- and middle-income country issue; it’s a global challenge."

Ward Anseeuw, lead of the Land Tenure Team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and moderator of the event added: "We are further from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 than we were five years ago. Tenure insecurity is rising, and this impacts not only individual well-being but also national stability and development. Without secure tenure, people feel unable to invest in their homes or communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty."

Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East hit hardest

In both Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, housing and land insecurity have surged, with these areas now reporting the highest global levels of tenure insecurity. According to the Prindex 2024 report, 26% of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa and 29% in MENA feel insecure about their land and housing rights.

Tenure insecurity has seen a sharp increase in the United States, rising from 13% in 2020 to 25% in 2024, reflecting a broader trend of escalating global housing costs and inflation that particularly affects lower-income households.

This trend underscores a broader global pattern in which financial strain and limited legal protections amplify tenure insecurity. Addressing these issues requires targeted policy interventions to alleviate financial burdens and strengthen legal frameworks, particularly in regions hardest hit by insecurity.

The toll of conflict on housing and land rights

"In conflict-affected countries the situation is dire. Prindex found that Ukraine has the largest increase in tenure insecurity globally: a 23 percentage point increase since 2020, largely driven by the war, mass displacement, destruction of houses and contamination of land," said Denys Nizalov, the lead author of the Prindex report. The impact of war on tenure insecurity is clear. Over 6.5 million Ukrainians, have fled the country, and an additional 4.9 million have been internally displaced depriving them of the right to use their land and houses on the occupied territories.

Similar challenges persist in Syria, Yemen and other conflict-affected countries.

Vulnerable groups: Women, youth, and the urban poor

The Prindex report also highlights how tenure insecurity disproportionately affects women, younger adults, and people living in urban areas. Although no significant gender gap was recorded at the global level, women are more vulnerable to internal household risks—such as disputes over inheritance or divorce—that are harder to protect through formal legal systems. Locke pointed out that gender-sensitive reforms must be part of any policy response.

Youth, particularly in high-income countries, are also feeling the squeeze. The report shows that 26% of people aged 18-24 feel insecure about their housing—higher than any other age group. This is largely due to the housing affordability crisis and the precarious nature of rental markets, which have disproportionately affected younger generations.

"Governments need to take a hard look at how rising housing costs are affecting the next generation," said Anseeuw. "It’s no longer just an issue for the poor or the displaced. The middle class, particularly young people, are being locked out of housing security."

The road ahead: Policy recommendations

The Prindex report calls for urgent, targeted interventions to address the drivers of tenure insecurity. Financial safety nets, such as eviction deferrals and mortgage restructuring, are essential to prevent mass displacement, particularly in countries where financial insecurity is the dominant cause of instability. The report also urges an expansion of social housing and community land trusts, as well as gender-specific policies that address the unique vulnerabilities women face.

Key recommendations include:

• Expanding affordable housing and renter protections in both high- and low-income countries.
• Addressing the financial sources of insecurity, particularly through housing benefit programs for those at risk of eviction.
• Strengthening legal frameworks in conflict-affected regions to safeguard property rights and facilitate post-conflict recovery.
• Promoting gender-sensitive reforms to close the property rights gap between men and women.

Anna Locke concluded the Rome event by issuing a stark warning:

"We are five years away from the 2030 SDG target, and we are moving in the wrong direction. Tenure insecurity is not just about losing homes—it's about losing hope and dignity. If we don't act now, the human cost will be devastating."

To download the full report, access Prindex data and find out how you can get involved, visit Prindex.net

This piece was originally posted on the Prindex website.