Vacant dwellings in Metropolitan France
Vacant dwellings in Metropolitan France stood at 2,817 thousands in 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Housing stock and social housing table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1982 to 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Housing stock and social housing table
| Indicator | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of vacant dwellings - Metropolitan France | 2,817 | 2,827 | 2,849 | 2,848 | 2,845 | 2,853 | 2,847 | 2,834 | 2,793 | 2,775 | |
| Number of main residences - One-family dwelling - Metropolitan France | 17,167 | 17,095 | 16,992 | 16,898 | 16,797 | 16,675 | 16,588 | 16,490 | 16,353 | 16,240 | |
| Number of main residences - Multi-family dwelling - Metropolitan France | 13,935 | 13,793 | 13,666 | 13,498 | 13,326 | 13,152 | 12,989 | 12,819 | 12,700 | 12,545 |
Understanding vacant dwellings in Metropolitan France
Isolating residential structures that lack a permanent occupant at the time of observation, this measure captures properties standing empty due to probate disputes, pending renovation, or abandonment by owners. It differs fundamentally from active inventory metrics by explicitly omitting main residences and holiday properties in regular use. Seasonal beach houses occupied part of the year are excluded from this category, as are homes where occupants are temporarily absent for work or travel.
Interpreting fluctuations requires distinguishing between structural market surplus and frictional vacancy caused by rapid ownership turnover. Because property status can shift quickly between successive annual surveys, analysts should rely on multi-year moving averages rather than immediate period-to-period comparisons. Conflating vacant units with derelict structures awaiting demolition introduces substantial error when assessing regional housing supply deficits.
Frequently asked questions
- Are secondary homes counted as vacant units?
- No, properties used regularly as secondary or seasonal residences are classified separately from empty dwellings.
- What causes a dwelling to be categorized as vacant?
- A unit enters this category when it has no permanent occupant, often due to ongoing sales, legal disputes, or required repairs.
- How should analysts evaluate year-to-year changes in this series?
- Longer-term evaluation is recommended to filter out temporary fluctuations caused by administrative survey timing.