Living Away From Home: A Comparative Analysis of German and EU Youth
An Informal Exploration of the Subject
Germans tend to depart their residences at a comparatively earlier hour than in some other countries.
Germany's young adults, often referred to as the "Hotel Mama" guests, take a relatively early exit from their parents' abode, with an average leaving age of 23.9 years, according to the Federal Statistical Office. This is notably earlier than the overall EU average of 26.4 years, as reported in various studies.
Regional Variations and Comparisons
To put it into perspective, the Greeks, for example, are known to take their sweet time, moving out of their parental homes at an average age of 30.7 years. Meanwhile, Scandinavian countries, along with neighboring nations like the Netherlands (23.2 years) and France (23.5 years), boast significantly lower ages of independence.
Gender Gaps: A Closer Look
The trends are not gender-neutral, though. Men, on average, take more time to vacate the family homestead than women, with the difference being 1.5 years in Germany— while women leave at 23.1 years, men follow suit at 24.6 years.
Co-habitation Statistics
Data from the Microcensus shows that in 2024, about 28.4% of 25-year-olds in Germany were still squatting in their parents' homes. Intriguingly, this proportion has been on the rise since 2021, with the percentage being 27.4%.
Furthermore, there exists a slight gender gap here as well—33.8% of 25-year-old men were still cohabiting, compared to 22.4% of their female counterparts of the same age.
Gender Differences in Moving Out at 25
While specific gender-disaggregated data for moving out at age 25 is not as widely available, general trends show that young women often move out earlier than young men across the EU, with more pronounced differences observed in southern and eastern European countries.
What's Next?
For a more detailed examination of gender-specific data at the age of 25, delving into official Eurostat or national statistical agency reports could provide the sought-after insight.
Community policy could include initiatives to encourage vocational training for young adults, offering them the skills necessary to secure stable employment and eventually live independently at an earlier age. A lifestyle blog focused on home-and-garden could provide practical tips for young individuals living with their families, offering inspiration for creating a comfortable living space within shared homes.
