According to Eurostat’s 2018 data, the average age across the European Union when young people leave their parents’ homes is more than 25 years old. In 2017, Eurostat showed that 35.3 percent of 25 to 34-year-old men were still living at home, compared to 21.7 percent of women of the same age group. The smallest percentage of young people living with their parents was found in Denmark (3.2 percent), Finland (4.7 percent), and Sweden (6 percent). While the highest was in Croatia (59.7 percent), Slovakia (57 percent), and Greece (56.3 percent).

Meanwhile, Statista’s 2018 data shows that the average age when ‘youngsters’ from Montenegro left their family homes was 32.8. Croatians are in second place with an average age of 31.8; Slovakians are third with 30.9; Italians come right after that with 30.1.

“Another key reason is family caregiving needs,” Breen explained why young people live with their parents for longer. “Young people in Canada, Australia, the US, Britain (and in other parts of the world) are actively engaged in providing daily care for family members (including siblings, parents, grandparents, and other family members).”

“Family members are struggling to fill the gaps in healthcare and social welfare systems that do not provide adequate care and support for people with chronic illness, disabilities, mental health struggles, and substance abuse disorders. This is particularly important as populations age. Much of the care for grandparents is now provided by grandchildren, whose contributions to family life may be financial and may also involve caregiving and other forms of household labor.”

“And a third reason is culture. Individualistic notions of people growing up and “going out on their own” are not the norm in many cultures, which emphasize that elders should be looked after by family members and that family well-being is a collective responsibility. This is challenging individualistic notions that the ultimate aim of adult life is to be independent and able to “go it alone”. Immigration trends and movements to recognize and value Indigenous cultures (in Canada, the US, and Australia) are also pieces of this puzzle.”