same in the states..........it's been an (overall) downhill trend since.......cost of living skyrocketed along the way too..........used to be a minimum wage job would be enough to support oneself easily.......in 1960 my parents were both office clerks - their rent for a 3 bd. house was $50.......so they saved about 3K for a downpayment on a NEW 3 bedroom 2 bath ranch in which they paid around $15k for..........mom got pregnant w/me - quit her job to be at home with me - dad was still an office clerk - and made enough to provide for it all. today not even 2 people working such jobs would afford one to buy a house.