This topic has come up quite a few times over the years on this board. A lot of the discussion around it has mostly been others opinions. I found this neat little graph online (instagram) from the New York Times that compares the two. Now keep in mind one's location will certainly have an effect on which one might make more sense, even in what part of you own country you're in.
It doesn't matter where anyone is, I think it's a similar thing everywhere... it's the location that matters. The better the location, the higher the price per square meter both when renting or buying. In my opinion, it's better to buy a property, even with credit... after 20-30 years you will have your own house, and with renting after 30 paying for rent all that time you will still not have anything.
I decided to buy a house 8 years ago... I'm still paying it off, but if I had been paying rent all these years I would have nothing of my own.