Newsletter – September 2026

House prices have fallen 26% in real terms

Statistics Jersey published its quarterly report on housing costs on 6 August 2026. Key points –

• Average house prices in 2026 Q2 were 10.0% higher than in 2026 Q1 and 5.0% higher than a year earlier.
• Average rents in 2026 Q2 were 3.6% lower than in 2026 Q1 and 2.3% lower a year earlier.
• The turnover of properties was 32% higher in 2026 Q2 than in 2026 Q1 and 24% higher than a year earlier. Turnover remains below historic levels.

In nominal terms average house prices have fallen by 12.4% since their peak in 2022 Q3. Inflation in that period has been 19.1% so in real terms house prices have fallen by 26.5%. Average rents have fallen by 8.3% since their peak in 2022 Q3 and in real terms by 23.0%.

The figures have been included in an updated version of the Policy Brief Housing. The Brief brings together the available data and analysis on the structure and operation of the housing market and details of government policies on housing.

Energy consumption unchanged in 2025

On 13 August 2026 Statistics Jersey published its report on the supply of and demand for energy in 2025. Total energy consumption was virtually the same in 2025 as in 2024. Liquid fuel accounted for 57% of consumption, electricity for 40% and gas for 3%.

Residential accounted for 37% of end use, commerce (including government) for 27% and road transport for 25%.

The data have been included in an updated version of the Policy Brief Energy Policy. The Brief explains all aspects of energy supply and consumption in the Island and analyses key policy issues. 

Average earnings have increased in real terms

Figures on average earnings in June 2026 were published by Statistics Jersey on 21 August. Key figures –

• average earnings per full-time equivalent employee (FTE) were 4.1% higher than in June 2025
• after adjusting for inflation (the headline rate of inflation in Jersey in June 2026 was 2.8%), average earnings increased in real terms by 1.2%
• over the last 10 years, average earnings have decreased in real terms by 0.8%.
• over the last 12 months:
  • average earnings in the private sector increased by 3.7% in nominal terms and in real terms increased by 0.9%
  • average earnings in the public sector increased by 5.8% in nominal terms and in real terms increased by 2.9%
• mean average earnings of full-time equivalent employees was £1,100 a week
• the range of weekly average earnings was from £1,420 in financial and legal activities to £690 in hotels, restaurants and bars.

The Policy Centre’s Policy Brief Economic Trends has been updated to include these figures. The brief provides a comprehensive summary of the latest data on trends in the Jersey economy.

Two new Think Pieces on Housing First

On 15 September 2026 the Policy Centre published two linked Think Pieces by Jennifer Bridge on Housing First and its relevance to Jersey.

From Shelter to Home, Part One: The Housing First Evidence Base sets out what Housing First is and what the international trial evidence shows. The model provides stable, independent housing without preconditions such as sobriety or engagement with services, followed by flexible support for as long as it is needed. Tenancy sustainment rates are significantly higher than under traditional staircase models, while the evidence on health, substance use and cost-effectiveness is more mixed.

From Shelter to Home, Part Two: A Pathway for Jersey considers what implementation would require locally, reviewing the Island’s housing, health and social care capacity and the foundations already in place. It concludes that Jersey’s readiness has not yet been demonstrated, and sets out a sequenced approach from immediate practical steps through to longer-term legislative reform.

Both Think Pieces are now available in our Publications section.

Thank you to our funders

The Policy Centre is very grateful to the Association of Jersey Charities and the Jersey Community Foundation for their generous grant funding. This support enables the Centre to recruit a Policy Lead and to continue producing independent, evidence-based research as well as making its Policy Briefs, Think Pieces and public forums freely available to everyone in the Island.