KEY POINTS: From 2005 to 2009, around 400 dwellings were completed each year in the Isle of Man. These days, around 200 dwellings are completed each year, despite a surge in migration applicants to the Isle of Man.

The rate of housing construction remains at long-term low levels, according to new data obtained from the Isle of Man Government by the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance. In 2022, the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance revealed the long-term collapse in the supply of Manx housing, and has now updated that analysis to include 2023, the latest year for which data is available.

From 2005 to 2009, almost 400 new dwellings were completed per year in the Isle of Man. From 2019 to 2023, an average of 206 dwellings were completed, which is just over half the number. Even excluding the COVID-19 affected year of 2020 (when 160 dwellings were completed), the current long-term average remains at around the same level: from 2013 to 2023 inclusive, but excluding 2020, there was an average of 210 dwellings completed in the Isle of Man.

“Unbanning the provision of housing in the Isle of Man will deliver powerful, wide-ranging benefits,” said Michael Josem of the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance. “Manx families will enjoy more generous living space and dramatically lower housing costs. At the same time, it will benefit the environment while providing steady employment for people who work with their hands. It would also enhance the island’s visual charm by encouraging thoughtfully designed homes that complement the Manx environment. Best of all, unbanning housing provision requires very little direct funding from taxpayers yet unleashes significant economic growth: boosting construction activity, supporting local suppliers and generating new investment across our community.”

Surging demand

At the same time that the new housing supply remains at long-term lows, the demand for housing continues to surge. The increased demand for housing comes from many different factors, including delayed marriage, increased divorce, higher living standards, work-from-home needs, and increased migration.

“When I was growing up in Australia, it was common to hear people bemoan new construction. But Australians realised that if they were going to accept large numbers of new migrants, they needed homes! Here in the Isle of Man, the politicians are changing our island into a high migration community, but without allowing the construction of homes,” said Michael Josem. “This is increasing Manx living costs and decreasing Manx living standards.”

Data source

As a result of representations to Isle of Man Statistics throughout June 2025, we were able to secure the release of this updated data on the Isle of Man Government’s Open Data website.