Why Young Adults Are Stuck in Their Childhood Homes Longer Than Ever
Homeownership is becoming increasingly unattainable for many young people today. Since the 1980s, fewer have been able to buy their own homes, leaving them in unstable or dependent living spaces. The housing crisis is now reshaping their lives in ways that go far beyond finances alone.
More young adults are staying in their childhood homes for longer than ever before. In Australia, 65% of 18- to 25-year-olds still live with their parents, mostly due to soaring rents and living costs. Across the UK, 54% of young men and 47% of young women aged 18–29 remain at home, a sharp rise from previous generations.
Living with parents for extended periods can bring mixed effects. Some benefit from financial security and family support, but others face stress, a lack of privacy, and reduced independence. Studies show this arrangement can limit spontaneity, strain relationships, and even lower sexual activity among young adults. The struggle to find affordable, independent living spaces takes a heavier toll on mental health. Unmet living spaces goals can damage self-esteem, increase anxiety, and make future planning feel impossible. Younger renters also face the highest risk of 'rental stress', where housing costs swallow up too much of their income. Beyond personal hardship, the crisis creates intergenerational strain. Parents may delay retirement or take on extra costs to support adult children still at home. Meanwhile, young people put off major life steps—starting families, pursuing careers, or caring for elderly relatives—because their living situations remain uncertain. Experts argue that solving the housing crisis requires policies that address all age groups at once. Without better access to stable, affordable living spaces, younger generations will continue facing barriers that earlier generations never encountered.
The decline in homeownership and rising living costs are forcing young adults into prolonged dependency. This shift affects their mental health, relationships, and long-term opportunities. Without targeted solutions, the gap between living spaces aspirations and reality will only widen further.
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