Young people in Italy living with their parents: was the exception, now the norm

Until a few decades ago, leaving home before the age of 30 was considered a natural step towards adulthood. Today, however, young people living with their parents make up an increasingly large share of Italy’s population.

According to Eurostat data, the average age of leaving the parental home in Italy is among the highest in Europe and exceeds 30, while the EU average is lower. This is not simply a cultural trend but one closely tied to economic and employment conditions.

Staying in the family home for longer is no longer unusual. High rents, insecure work and difficulty accessing credit are delaying young people’s independence more and more.

Young people’s financial independence: the real issue

Magnific

The central issue is not only housing, but finances. Financial independence for young people in Italy arrives later than in other European countries.

The main causes include:

• entering stable employment later
• the widespread use of fixed-term contracts
• lower average starting salaries
• the high cost of living in large cities

According to Istat employment market data, jobs tend to become stable later than they did in the 1990s. Without a permanent contract, securing a rental or mortgage to buy a first home becomes more difficult.

High rents in Italy: why they carry so much weight

Magnific

The cost of renting is one of the main reasons why young people continue living with their parents.

The main difficulties in Italy’s rental market are:

• limited supply in large cities
• rising demand since 2021
• competition from short-term tourist lets
• high security deposits and upfront costs

This situation makes it difficult to plan an early move out of the parental home.

House prices in Italy: is buying really impossible for young people?

Magnific

Alongside high rents, there is also the issue of house prices. According to idealista’s price index, Italy’s residential market closed July with a monthly fall of 1.1%, bringing the national average to €2,030 per m². On an annual basis, however, prices rose by 3.1%.

The issue is not just the price itself. The relationship between the cost of a property and average income must also be considered.

Buying a home requires enough funds to cover:

• a deposit, often at least 20%
• notary fees
• taxes

Italy’s youth property market is therefore heavily shaped by young buyers’ ability to build up initial savings. It is no coincidence that many property purchases by under-35s take place with financial support from family.

Italy’s youth property market: changing preferences

Magnific

Recent years have also brought a change in housing preferences.

Since the pandemic, interest has grown in:

• larger homes outside the city centre
• homes with outdoor space
• homes with a terrace or usable balconies
• well-connected areas with lower costs

The Millennial generation in Italy: a cultural shift

Magnific

Italy’s Millennial generation, along with Gen Z, is experiencing a different transition from that of their parents. In the past, buying a home was undoubtedly the goal to work towards. Today, many young people choose to invest in education, experiences or international mobility before buying property.

Continuing to live with parents can be a strategic choice that allows savings to build up. In other cases, it is a necessity tied to clear economic circumstances.

Young people living with their parents: a problem or an adaptation?

Magnific

The rising average age of leaving the parental home in Italy is not only a cultural issue. It is also connected to finding a balance between financial independence, the property market and the cost of living. 

For some young people, it can be a temporary and strategic phase; for others, it becomes a long-term situation that reflects structural difficulties within the economic system.