Beyond Delayed Transitions : Young Adult Co-Residence with Parents in Contemporary Europe

Jana Zavodska , Masaryk University

Across Europe, an increasing number of young adults are living with their parents, challenging traditional notions of adulthood. In 2019, 30.5% of Europeans aged 25-34 lived with their parents, though the numbers varied widely, from just 4% in Denmark to over 50% in Southern Europe (ibid.). The aim of this study is to examine prolonged intergenerational co-residence through three research questions: (1) How do co-residence patterns and the difference between aspirations and reality vary across European countries and age groups? (2) To what extent are European countries converging or diverging in young adult residential independence patterns between 2004-2005 and 2020-2022? (3) What individual and structural factors influence young adults’ current co-residence? The study uses Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) Rounds I and II (2004-2022), and focuses on analyzing co-residence patterns and mobility intentions of young adults across Europe, with focus on Czechia. Preliminary findings show that in 2005, the Czech Republic had Europe’s highest co-residence rate, with 42% of young adults living with their parents. Even in countries with high co-residence rates, young adults report strong plans to move into their own households within the next three years. This fact highlights the tension between housing aspirations and material realities in contemporary Europe. It suggests that co-residence reflects a complex mix of economic necessity, cultural norms, and family strategies in the context of the housing crisis.

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 Presented in Session P8. Demographic Trends, History, Data and Methods