On Housing-Related Financial Fears of Baby Boomer Women Living Alone in Switzerland

Yashka Huggenberger (), Antonin Beringhs, Joël Wagner and Gabrielle Wanzenried
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Yashka Huggenberger: School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Avenue des Sports 20, 1401 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
Antonin Beringhs: School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Avenue des Sports 20, 1401 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
Joël Wagner: Department of Actuarial Science, Faculty HEC, University of Lausanne, Extranef, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Gabrielle Wanzenried: School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Avenue des Sports 20, 1401 Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-24

Abstract: The ageing population and rising housing costs in Switzerland are increasing the number of older adults facing financial housing concerns. Older women have particularly limited housing choices because they, on average, earn less, live longer, and are more likely to live alone. This study explores potential levers to alleviate housing-related financial fears among baby boomer women (aged 55–75) living alone in Switzerland, a subject with limited academic coverage. Using regression and random forest models on unique 2023 survey data ( N = 371 ), we examine the influence of socio-demographic, financial, well-being, and housing factors on fears related to affordability, price increases, and lack of housing supply. Key findings show that ownership status, perceived financial situation, and concerns about maintaining one’s lifestyle significantly drive these fears. The fear of unsuitable housing strongly influences perceived lack of supply. These results highlight the importance of retirement planning and support the consideration of measures such as reverse mortgages, co-housing, subsidies, and rent-controlled units.

Keywords: ageing women; fears; housing; finance; baby boomer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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