Stories

Fri, 17 Apr 2026

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 'I'm the lucky one' - more than one in three young men now live with their parents

Last year, the highest proportion of men aged 20-34 were still living at home since at least 2007 as the rising cost of living takes hold.

* Over one-third (35%) of young men aged 20-35 in the UK were living with their parents in 2025, compared to 22% of young women.
* The number of young men living with their parents increased from 26% in 2000 to 35% in 2025.
* High renting costs and rising house prices are driving the increase in young people living with their parents.
* According to a separate study, the cost of living is the most important issue facing adults in the UK, surpassing concerns about the NHS and the economy.
* Many young people are unable to afford independent living due to high expenses, with 35% of young men and 22% of young women aged 20-35 still living at home.
* The cost of living has increased significantly, with two-thirds of adults surveyed reporting an increase in prices between March 2026 and the previous month.
* Food and petrol prices were cited as the main reasons for the rising costs.
* Almost one-quarter (24%) of adults said they would be unable to pay an unexpected expense of £850, while 3% reported running out of food due to financial constraints.