Why rents are rising too fast

Rich-world tenants are angry, and have reason to be

Across advanced economies the rental market is undergoing a profound change. In the years before covid-19 struck, rents were high but not growing fast: the cost of leasing a home rose by about 2% a year, according to official data. During the pandemic, rental inflation slowed and, in some cities, rents fell as landlords desperately looked for tenants.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Flat out”

From the March 22nd 2025 edition

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