Do most people in Gibraltar own or rent their homes?

Short answer

About half of Gibraltar households own their home, either outright or with a mortgage (39.9%) or through co-ownership (11.2%). A third rent from the Government (33.1%) and 14.3% rent privately, according to the 2022 Census.

Detailed answer

The 2022 Census counted 14,495 households living in houses and flats, up 22.8% since 2012. Flats are the norm: 91.7% of households lived in a flat.

Households by tenure, 2022

• Owner occupied: 5,787 (39.9%)
• Co-ownership: 1,627 (11.2%)
• Government rented: 4,798 (33.1%)
• Private rented, including employer-provided: 2,069 (14.3%)
• Other, including rent-free: 214 (1.5%)

Co-ownership means the household shares ownership of the property with the Government or another landlord.

Home ownership has grown sharply over fifty years. In 1970 only 209 households owned their home, while 3,629, about 60%, rented from the Government. Between 2012 and 2022 owner-occupied households rose by 34.3% and co-ownership households by 42.0%, while Government-rented households rose by 4.4%.