Wide range of floor space standards

The five largest countries (in terms of population: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) account for approximately 65% of the total floor space. This comes as no surprise since the corresponding share of population in these countries is equal to 61% of the total. As explained above, the relationship between population and building floor area is in fact a complex one which is influenced by a range of factors including economic wealth, culture, climate, scale of commerce, increased demand for single occupancy housing and many others.

Space standards (expressed through the floor area per capita) are the highest in countries in the North & West while the countries of Central & Eastern Europe have the lowest residential space standards both in single family houses and apartment blocks. Economic wealth, culture, climate, scale of commerce, increased demand for single occupancy housing are some of the factors affecting the size of spaces we live and work in.

The general tendency however is to seek larger floor spaces over time. This along with the increasing population projections has clear implications on future energy needs, emphasizing the subsequent urgency for improving the energy performance of our buildings.