In 2024, young Europe people left home at an average age of 26.2 years, but rising housing costs hit them harder than the general population. Greece and Denmark recorded the highest housing cost overburden rates, while Croatia, Cyprus, and Slovenia saw the lowest. Explore country-wise data, trends, and how affordability impacts independence across Europe.
Housing Cost Burden and the Struggle of Europe’s Youth in 2024
In 2024, young people across the European Union (EU) continued to face significant challenges in securing affordable housing, a problem that has become increasingly central to public debates. New data reveals that while the average age of leaving the parental home in the EU has remained fairly stable over the last two decades, the financial pressures associated with housing are disproportionately affecting young Europeans.
Young Europeans Leaving Home Later
On average, young people in the EU left their parents’ homes at the age of 26.2 years in 2024, only a slight decrease from 26.3 years in 2023. This figure has fluctuated only mildly since 2002, with a low of 26.1 years in 2019 and a high of 26.8 years in 2006.
The trend, however, varies significantly from country to country. The highest average ages for leaving the parental home were observed in:
- Croatia: 31.3 years
- Slovakia: 30.9 years
- Greece: 30.7 years
- Italy: 30.1 years
- Spain: 30.0 years
In contrast, Nordic countries registered the lowest average ages:
- Finland: 21.4 years
- Denmark: 21.7 years
- Sweden: 21.9 years
This stark contrast highlights the cultural, social, and economic differences across Europe, with southern and eastern countries seeing young people staying with their parents far longer than in the north.
The Housing Cost Overburden in the EU
The housing cost overburden rate measures the share of people living in households that spend 40% or more of their disposable income on housing. In 2024, this burden affected 9.7% of young people aged 15–29 in the EU, compared to 8.2% of the total population.
This shows that young people are somewhat more vulnerable when it comes to managing housing expenses. The problem is particularly pronounced in certain countries, with Greece (30.3%) and Denmark (28.9%) topping the list. Both countries recorded rates far higher than the EU average, followed by the Netherlands (15.3%), Germany (14.8%), and Sweden (13.5%).
On the other end of the spectrum, young people in Croatia (2.1%), Cyprus (2.8%), and Slovenia (3.0%) experienced the lowest housing cost overburden rates in the EU.
A Closer Look at the Country Differences
The chart ranking EU and associated countries by their housing cost overburden rate among 15–29-year-olds illustrates deep divides:
- Highest rates: Greece and Denmark both stand out with nearly one-third of young people heavily burdened by housing costs. Norway, though outside the EU, also registers a high rate, close to 25% for the youth group.
- Moderately high rates: The Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden see between 13–15% of young people struggling, which is significantly above the EU average.
- Lower rates: Many Eastern European countries, including Croatia, Cyprus, and Slovenia, report rates as low as 2–3%, suggesting less financial strain on youth when it comes to housing.
Age Groups and Differences
In 16 EU countries, the housing cost overburden rate is higher among young people (15–29) than the general population. The most striking differences are:
- Denmark: 14.3 percentage points higher for young people
- Netherlands: 8.4 percentage points higher
This means that in these countries, younger people are far more likely to be affected by rising housing costs compared to the population at large.
Linking Housing Costs and Moving Out
Interestingly, a pattern emerges when comparing the age of leaving the parental home with housing cost burdens:
- In countries where young people move out earlier, such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Finland, housing cost overburden rates for youth are relatively high. These countries often encourage early independence, but at a financial price.
- In countries where young people leave home later, such as Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy, housing cost overburden rates tend to be lower. Staying longer in the parental home may shield young adults from financial pressures.
- Greece stands as an exception. Despite young Greeks leaving home later (30.7 years on average), they still face one of the highest housing cost burdens in Europe. This paradox highlights structural economic challenges in the Greek housing market.
A Generation Under Pressure
These findings reflect the growing financial strain that Europe’s younger generation is facing. As housing costs continue to rise in many parts of the continent, young people often face a difficult choice: move out earlier and shoulder heavy financial responsibilities, or remain longer in the parental home to ease the burden.
While cultural and family traditions influence the decision of when to leave home, economic realities play an equally important role. The data suggests that housing affordability is becoming a defining factor in shaping the life paths of Europe’s youth.
Unless addressed by targeted housing policies, such as affordable rental schemes or subsidies for first-time buyers, the problem of housing cost overburden may continue to delay independence for many young Europeans and widen the gap between different regions of Europe.