Leaving Home Later: A Comparative Study on German and EU Youth
People in Germany tend to depart from their homes at a relatively early hour.
When it comes to moving out of the parental home, young adults in Germany are ahead of the pack compared to many European Union countries, with an average age of departure at 23.9 years - considerably lower than the EU-wide average of 26.2 years [1][2]. Nations like Finland and Sweden have even lower averages, at 21.4 and 21.8 years respectively [1][3].
Gender Shifts on the Move
There's a significant gender difference in Germany regarding the age at which youth leave their parents' homes. Men, on average, move out at 24.6 years, while their female counterparts take the leap at 23.1 years [1]. This pattern is echoed in the statistics of 25-year-olds still residing with their parents, with 33.8% of men yet to move out compared to 22.4% of women [1].
A Diverse European Landscape
The age at which young adults leave their parents' home can vary considerably across European countries. For instance:- Finland: 21.4 years- Sweden: 21.8 years- Denmark, Netherlands, France: These nations show earlier-than-average departure ages, though specific figures were not available- Croatia: shows a remarkable contrast, with a reported average age of 31.3 years - one of the highest in the EU [1][3]
These differences suggest a range of cultural and economic factors affecting the decision to leave the familial nest.
In the discussion of factors influencing the decision to leave the parental home, it's worth considering the role of community policy. For instance, vocational training programs, often offered by the community or vocational institutions, might influence the lifestyle choices of young adults, potentially encouraging them to stay at home longer to complete their training, such as in Croatia where the average age of departure is 31.3 years. Additionally, improvements in home-and-garden equipment and technology could make the process of setting up a new household less daunting, potentially impacting the average age of departure for young adults.
