Micro-living remains a key driver of growth in the housing market — and is becoming increasingly relevant for the future of urban living concepts.
Many recent market reports clearly demonstrate just how strong the demand for compact, furnished and professionally managed accommodation continues to be. The data covers 121 apartment blocks comprising around 27,400 units and a total floor area of around 687,350 square metres.
The key figures speak for themselves: the average occupancy rate stands at 96 per cent, and in some university towns even reaches up to 98 per cent. The average all-inclusive rent is currently 616 euros per month. In privately operated apartment blocks, it averages 761 euros per month.
The trend in target groups is particularly interesting. Micro-living is no longer aimed solely at students. As at the survey reference date, 34 per cent of let flats were occupied by students, whilst 66 per cent were occupied by other user groups such as singles, young professionals and commuters. At the same time, the average flat size now stands at 27 square metres — an indication that the segment is evolving in terms of quality and target groups.
This development is no coincidence. The housing market is under pressure: smaller households, high mobility, an influx of skilled workers, rising construction and management costs, and the shortage of affordable housing are changing the demands placed on urban living.
This trend is no coincidence. The housing market is under pressure: smaller households, high levels of mobility, an influx of skilled workers, rising construction and management costs, and a shortage of affordable housing are changing the demands placed on urban living.
By 2024, almost one in two households in Germany was already a single-person household — one- and two-person households together accounted for around three-quarters of all households.
Micro-living cannot solve these challenges on its own, but it is an important building block: it creates quickly available, efficient and flexible housing options in high-demand locations. For people in transitional phases in particular, it offers a predictable alternative to the traditional rental housing market.
Looking ahead, it is clear that this topic will continue to grow in relevance.
Conclusion: Micro-living is not just an asset class. It is a reflection of social change — and an important component of sustainable urban development.