Young adults across Europe face sharply different financial prospects, with a new study showing that wealth among people aged 16 to 34 varies dramatically from one country to another, influenced by housing affordability, family support and access to home ownership.
Data from the European Central Bank’s Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS), published in mid-2026, found that the median net wealth for people aged 16 to 34 in the euro area stands at €24,600. That represents only 18% of the overall median household wealth of €140,100, highlighting the financial challenges younger generations face as they begin their working lives.
The survey covered 22 European countries and revealed significant differences. Malta topped the rankings with a median net wealth of €257,500 among young adults, followed by Luxembourg at €135,000. Belgium ranked third with approximately €97,200, while Croatia recorded €82,000 despite relatively modest average earnings.
Other countries reporting comparatively high levels of wealth among younger households included Slovakia (€74,600), Estonia (€62,200), Czechia (€59,900) and Lithuania (€59,600).
At the other end of the scale, Finland had the lowest median net wealth at €5,700, followed by Greece at €9,900. Austria recorded €13,400, Latvia €16,900 and Germany €17,600, making it the fifth-lowest among the countries surveyed.
Among Europe’s four largest economies, Italy led with a median net wealth of €53,500 for people aged 16 to 34. France followed with €27,700, while Spain recorded €23,700. The figures show that young Italians possess roughly three times the wealth of their German counterparts.
Professor Fabian Pfeffer of LMU Munich and founding director of the Munich International Stone Center for Inequality Research said wealth differences among younger adults reveal more than personal saving habits. Since people in this age group have had limited time to build assets through employment, he said large wealth holdings often reflect family resources rather than individual earnings.
Pfeffer noted that early home ownership is frequently the point at which young adults begin accumulating significant wealth. However, purchasing property often depends on stable employment, access to mortgage financing, affordable housing and financial assistance from family members.
He said parents can play a crucial role by helping with down payments, transferring property or providing financial security, allowing some young adults to build wealth much earlier than others.
The report also highlighted the influence of broader institutional factors, including housing markets, mortgage availability, inheritance patterns and government policies. According to Pfeffer, wealth inequality begins long before inheritances are passed on later in life. Instead, it often emerges when young people leave home, pursue higher education, enter the workforce, establish families or attempt to purchase their first home.
The findings underline growing concerns that rising housing costs and uneven access to financial support are widening wealth gaps among Europe’s younger generation, leaving many struggling to build long-term financial security despite entering the workforce.
