It’s official: We have the biggest homes in the world - and a supply problem

Global study reveals we have the biggest houses in the world despite a desperate need to find homes for a booming population.

It’s official: Australia is the king of the McMansion.

As debate rages over the need to increase density to accommodate migration, a new international study has revealed we have the biggest houses — and some of the smallest households — in the world.

Billionaire developer Riyu Li is hoping for a case of second time lucky as he takes his 10-bedroom Gold Coast mansion Bellagio La Villa to auction for the second time in 18 months. Picture: Supplied.

The research found two thirds of homeowners across the nation live in a house with an average size of 214 sqm, followed by New Zealand and the United States with a typical home 200 sqm in size.

Next is Canada, with an average house size of 181 sqm, followed by Malta at 160 sqm, Cyprus at 141 sqm, and Denmark at 137 sqm.

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Australia has an average household size of just 2.5 people, with nearly half of the population living in 2-3 person households, the figures found.

A general view of houses in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Picture: Gaye Gerard.

Nearly a quarter of Australian households consist of only one person, although that’s not as bad as Denmark, where almost 40 per cent of citizens live by themselves.

The study conducted by The Perfect Rug ranked countries based on average square metreage, but also took into consideration average household size per country.

Aussie Home Loans founder John Symonds has listed his huge house, Wingadal, in Point Piper.

The data was collected from reports provided by World Population Review, Statista, Eurostat and official census data.

“Secure housing is crucial and this study shows that the size of the house doesn’t directly lead to comfort,” a spokesperson for The Perfect Rug said.

Mansions along the river in Hawthorne, Brisbane.

“Overcrowding is a clear problem for many countries — Greece, New Zealand and Mexico among many. And solutions are different for each country and households, from governmental programs to smart interior design.”

Overcrowding is definitely not the problem here.

This grand home at 3-5 Swan Street, North Hobart, is on the market for circa $4m. Photo: Supplied

Property analyst Michael Matusik said the high number of lone person households combined with low density showed Australia needed to move towards smaller and more diverse household setups to adapt to changing household dynamics.

“There is the need for more smaller housing solutions like backyard homes, plus housing that allows for several tenants or generations to live under the same roof,” Mr Matusik said.

One of many large houses in Melbourne’s Toorak. Photographer: Chris Groenhout.

According to Mr Matusik’s analysis of Census figures, there are just 15 suburbs across Australia with a housing density higher than 110 homes per hectare, 12 of which are in inner Sydney and three in Melbourne.

The number of one-person households are growing by nearly 49,000 each year, with couple families without kids not far behind.

Rose Ave in Melbourne’s Glen Waverley is filled with large houses like this. Picture: Valeriu Campan.

“There is a demand for new apartments and townhouses, but at the right price and in the appropriate density configurations,” Mr Matusik said.

When it comes to McMansions, we certainly have our share.

A billionaire on the Gold Coast recently relisted his extravagant, 10-bedroom home at Southport, Bellagio La Villa.

In Sydney, Aussie Home Loans founder John Symonds has high price hopes for his Point Piper mansion, Wingadal.

And in Tasmania, a massive, six-bedroom home at 3-5 Swan St, North Hobart, is on the market for circa $4m.

Originally published as It’s official: We have the biggest homes in the world - and a supply problem