From 2014 to 2024, Russia saw a shift in the age profile of real estate buyers. The share of customers aged 25-34 purchasing property declined by 10 percentage points, while the 35-44 cohort grew by 6 points. This trend comes from an analysis conducted by the Zhilfond analytical center, with a copy circulating on socialbites.ca.
In 2014, the majority of real estate deals, about 29%, were made by buyers aged 25-34. Many of these were first-time homeowners looking to secure their own residence. By February 2024, that share had dropped to 19% as the demographic landscape evolved.
Meanwhile, buyers aged 35 to 44 increased their share from 25% to 31% over the decade. The agency notes that this group tends to be improving their living conditions or purchasing a second apartment, reflecting different life stages and housing needs.
Alexander Chernokulsky, director of Zhilfond, attributes the rise in the average buyer age to broader demographic shifts within the country and the evolving preferences of those active in the real estate market. An important backdrop is the so-called demographic gap of the 2000s. Rosstat data as of January 1, 2023 show that Russia’s population aged 25-34 stood at 18.5 million, about 20% lower than ten years earlier, while the 35-44 age group increased by roughly 21% in the same period.
Chernokulsky remarked that the expected trend over the next decade would see the 25-34 age group shrink by about 19-20% relative to 2023, and the 35-44 group decline by around 23%. The projections point toward continued shifts in the buyer portrait driven by demographic evolution rather than a collapse in demand.
Nonetheless, the real estate market tends to adapt to the needs of different generations. A pronounced drop in demand is not anticipated; rather, demand is expected to redistribute across buyer segments and across varying types of properties, according to Chernokulsky. This resilience mirrors the market’s capacity to reallocate interest as the population ages and household formation patterns change.
As an example, the expert notes a growing interest in suburban real estate within Russia. This trend aligns with the aging buyer base and reflects a broader shift in preferences that accompanies shifts in urban living, commute considerations, and lifestyle priorities. In the current transaction landscape, suburban properties already account for more than 10% of total deals, and this share is anticipated to rise further as buyers seek space, value, and different living environments.
These observations complement earlier commentary about trends in housing preferences, including what was described as a new housing direction within the Moscow region. The data points collectively illustrate how market dynamics respond to demographic development while offering buyers varied pathways to realizing homeownership and investment goals.
In related developments, there was a notable year-over-year surge in mortgages for individual housing construction, reflecting financing environments that support single-home projects and the broader construction sector. This uptick underscores how lending conditions and consumer confidence interact to shape housing choices across regions and age groups.