Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Luxembourg

Summary of key data and information

	Summary of key data and information
Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1)	The official statistical definition of homelessness in Luxembourg is based on the European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion and specifically includes category 1 (people living rough), category 2 (people in emergency accommodation) and category 3 (people in accommodation for the homeless).
Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3)	429 individuals, representing 0.06% of the total population (2024)
	17% are women, 80% are men
	Point-in-time based on the homelessness count in Luxembourg.
	ETHOS Light groups included	Included: ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Not included: ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing)
	Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted. The fifth homelessness count, conducted in December 2024 in the two largest cities in Luxembourg, combined with data from a winter-only shelter, enumerated people experiencing homelessness in ETHOS 1 (152 individuals), ETHOS 2 (209 individuals), and ETHOS 3 (68 individuals).
Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4)	There is no legal obligation to collect data on homelessness in Luxembourg.
Homelessness Strategy (Table 5)	National Homelessness Strategy: A national Homelessness Strategy is under development. Housing exclusion is addressed in another national strategy: Plan d’action national pour la prévention et la lutte contre la pauvreté.
Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6)	Annual Activity Report: The Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, collects homelessness data from service providers funded by the ministry every year (Table 6.1). Homelessness count in Luxembourg: Street count and counts in emergency and temporary accommodation with a questionnaire in the two largest cities of the country, additionally covering a winter-only shelter (Table 6.2).

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness

Statistical definition

Homelessness

As of 2024, the definition of homelessness in Luxembourg is based on the European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion (ETHOS), serving as the reference framework for the national homelessness count. Statistics are based on the following categories: ETHOS 1: people living rough (sleeping in public space or external space) ETHOS 2: people in emergency accommodation (sleeping in night shelters) ETHOS 3: people in accommodation for the homeless (temporary accommodation, transitional supported accommodation) In addition, an annual activity report is published by the Ministry of Family Affairs, monitoring the offers of accommodation for homeless people as well as the occupancy of these offers, so that data from ETHOS 2 (people in emergency accommodation (night shelter)) and ETHOS 3 (People in accommodation for the homeless) can be collected for statistical purposes.

Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation

Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology

Year	Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals)	% of total population	ETHOS Light 1 People living rough	ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation	ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless	ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions	ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings	ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends
2018	347	0.06%	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
2022	696	0.11%	Not included	445	251	Not included	Not included	Not included
2024	429	0.06%	143	219	68	Not included	Not included	Not included
Metadata: Type of count: Point-in-time (2024); Flow (2018, 2022) Data are comparable across years: Yes (2018 and 2022); No (2024) Included in headline estimate: Children: No Temporary accommodation for: Asylum seekers: No Refugees: No Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No

Note: The figures for 2018 and 2022 are drawn from the Annual Activity Reports of the Ministry of Family Affairs, while the 2024 data are based on the national point-in-time homelessness count. In line with Luxembourg’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, the scope and methodology of the national count have been progressively strengthened since 2022. Initially limited to the capital, the exercise has since been extended to the second-largest city and to the winter-only shelter. At the same time, the coverage has expanded from ETHOS categories 1 and 2 to include ETHOS category 3. This broader classification allows for a more precise one-night snapshot of homelessness and reduces the risk of double counting that can arise from flow-based data in annual service reports. In addition, the point-in-time count captures shelters that are not included in the Ministry-funded providers’ annual reports, thereby offering a completer and more comprehensive picture of homelessness in Luxembourg. For this reason, data for 2018 and 2022 are comparable with each other, but not with data from 2024. 4. Please note that for 2022 activities and publications, references to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together, and Reception of Refugees refer to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration, and the Greater Region, which was renamed following the 2023 legislative elections.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region (2022), Annual Activity Report; Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees (2024), Cinquième Recensement des personnes sans-abri et sans domicile au Luxembourg.

Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation

Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2024

	Single adults	Men	Women	Youth (aged 18‑29)	Older people (aged 65 and over)	Families with children (# of households)
Headline estimate of homelessness	429	344	75	36	11	NA
As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness	100%	80.19%	17.48%	8.39%	2.56%	NA
ETHOS Light 1: People living rough	143	111	28	12	1	NA
ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation	218	186	31	21	7	NA
ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless	68	47	16	3	3	NA
ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Metadata: Type of count: Point-in-time Included in headline estimate: Children: No Temporary accommodation for: Asylum seekers: No Refugees: No Victims/survivors of domestic violence: No

Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees (2024), Cinquième Recensement des personnes sans-abri et sans domicile au Luxembourg.

Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness

	Legal framework
Law that governs data collection on homelessness	None.
Legal obligations	None.

Table 5. Homelessness strategy

	Homelessness strategies in place
National Homelessness Strategy	National Homelessness Strategy: A national Homelessness Strategy is under development. Housing exclusion is addressed in another national strategy: Plan d’action national pour la prévention et la lutte contre la pauvreté.
Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist	No.

Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness

6.1. Annual Activity Report
Description The Annual Activity Report is based on data from service providers that have signed a convention with the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, and are receiving financial support through that convention. The report provides an overview on the offers of accommodation (emergency, short, transitional or long-term) for people experiencing homelessness or formerly experiencing homelessness, as well as households affected by housing exclusion living in temporary housing (average of 3 years).
Type of count generated Flow (period)	Methods Service-based method
Lead authority(ies) Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees1	Source(s) of information Service providers provide data on the capacity and use of services.
Scope National level	Depth of data Data disaggregated by: type of service provided, space available (in shelters, etc) and the age, gender and nationality of people experiencing homelessness.
Frequency Annual
ETHOS Light groups included: ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.
Notes and sources 1. For 2022 activities and publications, references to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together, and Reception of Refugees refer to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration, and the Greater Region, which was renamed following the 2023 legislative elections. Rapport d'activité 2024 du ministère de la Famille, des Solidarités, du Vivre ensemble et de l'Accueil (gouvernement.lu)
6.2. Homelessness Count in Luxembourg
Description Street count performed, twice a year since 2022, by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees in cooperation with Inter-Actions, the social partner responsible for coordinating and implementing the street count. The street count includes a questionnaire to better understand the causes of homelessness and the needs of people experiencing homelessness. In line with Luxembourg’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, the scope and methodology of the national count have been progressively strengthened since the first edition in 2022. In December 2024, 100 professionals from various social services participated in the street count.
Type of count generated Point-in-time	Methods Street count
Lead authority(ies) Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees1	Source(s) of information People experiencing homelessness provide information directly.
Scope The first count was conducted only in the capital city. It has since been expanded to include the second-largest city in the country, as well as winter-only shelter, and will be further extended to the national level in future editions.	Depth of data Where people experiencing homelessness are sleeping, period of homelessness experienced, causes of homelessness, health status, needs, future plans or goals and concerns.
Frequency Biannual
ETHOS Light groups included: ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.
Notes and sources 1. For 2022 activities and publications, references to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together, and Reception of Refugees refer to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration, and the Greater Region, which was renamed following the 2023 legislative elections. https://mfsva.gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/publications/rapport-etude-analyse/etat-des-lieux-sans-abrisme/202412-rapport-5-recensement-sans-abrisme-vf.pdf

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1.Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housing-database.html.

This work is issued under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD, and does not necessarily reflect the official views of OECD Member countries. 

This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. 

This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. 

  

© OECD 2026 

   Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) 

This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 

Attribution – you must cite the work. 

Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid. 

Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries. 

Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement. 

You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work. 

Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.