…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
According to the latest census, almost five million adults in England and Wales were living with their parents, including over 10% of people in their early 30s.
Around 22.4% of families had an adult child living with them, up from 21.2% in 2011.
This increase is said to be a “continuing trend” rather than a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of families with adult children living with their parents rose by 13.6% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses to almost 3.8 million.
The ONS defines adult children as anyone over the age of 18 who is considered a non-dependent child and lives with their parents without a spouse, partner, or child living with them.
The average age of adult children living with their parents in Census 2021 was 24, one year older than in 2011.
The ONS noted that over half (51.2%) of 20 to 24-year-olds were living with their parents in 2021, up from 44.5% in 2011, while the share of 25- to 29-year-olds living with their parents rose from around one in five (20.1%) in 2011 to more than one in four (26.7%).
In addition, more than one in 10 (11.6%) adults aged 30 to 34 were living with their parents in 2021, up from 8.6% in 2011.
Men outnumbered women when it came to living with their parents, with a split of 60.8% and 39.2%, respectively.
Analysis:
The rising number of adults living with their parents in England and Wales reflects a broader trend in Western countries, particularly among younger generations.
This phenomenon is often attributed to a lack of affordable housing, low wages, and rising living costs, making it difficult for young people to establish their independence.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated this trend, with many young adults choosing to remain in their family home due to economic uncertainty or the need for additional support during the pandemic.
However, the latest census shows that this trend was already underway before the pandemic, indicating that it is a more significant societal issue than just a short-term response to the pandemic.
The trend of adults living with their parents can have economic and social implications, such as delaying life milestones such as marriage, having children, and buying a home.
It can also affect family dynamics, with adult children and parents adjusting to living under the same roof for extended periods.
Overall, the latest census data showing a rise in the number of adults living with their parents in England and Wales is indicative of a broader trend, with economic and social implications that need to be addressed.