BARCELONA, Spain — On Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona to express their frustration over the rising costs of renting apartments in this sought-after tourist destination.

Demonstrators displayed homemade signs with messages such as “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living” and “The people without homes uphold their rights.”

This growing concern reflects a broader housing crisis affecting various regions around the globe, particularly in southern European Union countries.

Over the past decade, the average rental price in Spain has seen a dramatic increase. According to online real estate platform Idealista, the cost per square meter has jumped from €7.2 in 2014 to €13 this year.

The situation is particularly severe in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where the surge in rental prices has outpaced income growth. Young people, in particular, have been significantly affected in a country facing persistently high unemployment rates.

Samuel Saintot, a protester, expressed his concerns after receiving an eviction notice for his apartment, where he has been residing for 15 years in the heart of Barcelona. He suspects the landlords are planning renovations to increase the rent.

“Even searching within a 20- or 30-kilometer radius outside the city, I am unable to find anything within my budget,” he shared.

Saintot considers himself lucky, as he believes he has a decent salary, yet he too faces the possibility of having to leave the city due to unaffordable housing options.

A recent report from the Bank of Spain highlights that approximately 40% of renters in the country spend an average of 40% of their income on rent and utilities, which is notably higher than the European Union average of 27% among similar demographic groups.

Ignasi Martí, a professor at Esade business school and director of its Dignified Housing Observatory, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are facing a housing emergency, indicating that many people find it challenging to secure and maintain their homes.”

The protests underscore the urgent need for solutions to the housing dilemma that so many residents in Spain are currently facing.