A global study on the effects of migration on housing has found significant differences that depend on such factors as local housing market structure, geographic locations, housing supply, and migration types.
QUT property economics review of 122 studies from around the world
One size does not fit all: migration’s effects are highly dependent on local conditions
Review consistently found migration stimulates housing construction and investment over time
The QUT property economics review of 122 studies on migration and housing conducted between 2000 and 2026 is published in the journal, Buildings.
First author PhD candidate Lawrence Seeto, from QUT’s School of Economics and Finance, said the study was one of the most comprehensive to shed light on how migration affects housing outcomes around the world.
“Migration is often seen as a driver of housing pressures, but the evidence points to a more nuanced story when all the variables are taken into account,” Mr Seeto said.
“We studied migration effects on house prices, rental prices, housing supply, residential construction, investment, affordability, and vacancy rates.
“We found a wide range of migrant groups in the studies including general and skilled migrants, students, retirees, refugees and climate migrants and found that the strength of the effect varies across contexts.
“For example, all the studies on Australia and New Zealand found when in-migration or net migration rose so did house prices whereas evidence from five studies in the UK showed primarily negative relationships with migration (including asylum seekers) and housing prices.
“While many European countries, including Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Sweden, saw a rise in migration and house prices, evidence from Norway and France showed insignificant results and Spain had mixed results with a negative relationship between retiree migrants and housing.
”Although a small sample, education-related migration has also shown to have positive effects on house and rental prices.”
Co-author Dr Jian Liang said the review consistently found migration stimulated housing construction and investment over time but often lagged demand increases.
“The key question is not just how many people are arriving but whether housing systems can respond effectively to changing demands,” Dr Liang said.
“The findings highlight the need to consider migration and housing policy together as migration is rarely the sole cause of housing affordability challenges.
“Housing outcomes are also influenced by planning regulations, supply constraints, labour markets, infrastructure and broader economic conditions.”
The research team comprised Mr Seeto, Dr Liang, Professor Viet Ngu Hoang, and Dr Lyndall Bryant, all from QUT’s School of Economics and Finance.
The study, Systematic Review of Relationships Between Migration and Housing Market Outcomes, was published in Buildings.
