Just 44% of the Dutch student body live away from home, even though 49% would like to do so, according to new figures from student housing monitor Kences.

Eight years ago, 52% of students lived out and 59% wanted to do so, Kences said, adding that many students now appear to have given up hope of ever finding a place to live.

“If you can’t leave home, it generally means spending more time travelling or picking another degree course because it takes too long to get to your college,” director Jolan de Bie told broadcaster NOS.

Living at home can also have an impact on students’ emotional development and lead to a feeling of isolation, she said.

There are currently 17,800 fewer student rooms owned by private landlords than last year – partly due to sell-offs prompted by changes to rent controls and contracts, Kences said.

De Bie is calling on the government to sanction temporary contracts for students and to make it easier for several students to share a property. Many councils, including Amsterdam, have made it more difficult for more than two adults to share a home without a licence.