Buying a first home at 30: what has changed between 1996 and 2026

For many young Italians, buying a first home at 30 was seen as a realistic goal in 1996. In 2026, the picture looks different. Stagnant wages, property costs and more difficult access to mortgages have changed the rules. According to data from Istat and the Bank of Italy, the average age for buying a home in Italy has gradually increased in recent decades. Job insecurity and the resulting delay in…