Romania and Poland - statistics and lies... 'According to research conducted by TNS AISA for GE Money Bank, 70% of Polish people age 18-29 still live with their parents. In Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania or Russia the percentage is much lower. For example 62% of surveyed Romanians declared that they own house. So, it is highly likely that the Polish pattern will follow that elsewhere going forward, creating increased rental demand.' This statement might be 'according to' but is it worth quoting? Assuming we are talking about the same age group (I dont have time to source the original report) do you REALLY belive that 62% of Romanians own their own houses? Maybe 2% is nearer the figure but that is only a guess. But of course it depends on who responded to the survey..and who was asked to participate. I am a great supporter of PS's style of analysis and I believe it to be the best. However it could clearly be better if such 'according to' statements were backed up by supplementary evidence and the reality.

Charles, I don't understand. Are you suggesting that 98% of Romanians are renting? My understanding was that in Romania (as with other CEE countries) the majority of people are owner occupiers, having been given their apartments with the end of communism. This is a big part of PS's 'affordability' argument - that locals can afford to buy swanky new builds because they already have so much equity in their existing properties.