In the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland, population growth will support housing demand and property prices, says Moody’s Investors Service in a special report published today.

“In our view the rising population in these countries combined with a housing supply shortage and robust economic growth will support house prices and therefore help reduce losses on residential mortgage loans,” says Gaby Trinkaus, an Assistant Vice President – Analyst at Moody’s.

“Additionally, the size of the 25-35 age bracket, which forms the core of the first-time buyer segment, is expected to remain largely stable in the UK and the Netherlands until 2020. While this demographic is projected to shrink in Ireland based on Eurostat data, the economic recovery and improved employment rates will support the market,” observes Ms. Trinkaus.