The Early Birds of Scandinavia: Moving Out Ahead of the Pack
Hotel Checkouts by Young Europeans Delayed Due to Prolonged Partying
According to recent statistics, the average age for young adults to move out of their parents' homes in Germany is 23.9 years. Surprisingly, Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, have a much lower average. Let's dive into why.
The Scandinavian Independence Boom
Curious about the secret that keeps Scandinavian young adults moving out earlier, we looked into the factors influencing this trend.
Cultural Shifts and Social Support
Scandinavian cultures promote a strong sense of independence and self-reliance from a young age. This cultural norm, combined with robust social welfare systems, provides financial support and housing assistance to young adults, making it easier for them to afford living independently.
Education, Economy, and Opportunities
The well-funded education systems in these countries offer young adults a solid foundation for educational success, leading to earlier self-sufficiency. Additionally, the strong economies in Scandinavia provide a stable job market with ample opportunities for young adults to jumpstart their careers.
Housing Policies and Availability
Affordable and accessible housing options, along with urban housing developments catering to young adults, enable residents to move out and establish their own households at an earlier age.
Family Dynamics and Expectations
Expectations that children will move out once they're financially capable or have completed their education contribute to a societal expectation that young adults will leave home early, making moving out a natural part of growing up in Scandinavia.
For instance, young people in Sweden usually move out around ages 18 to 20, benefiting from the robust social safety net and affordable housing options. Meanwhile, the average age for Finns to move out is even lower, at 21.4 years.
From Greece to Italy: Cultural Shifts and Challenges
The prevailing picture contrasts starkly with countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, where young adults tend to stay with their parents longer. High rents, a lack of well-paid jobs, and cultural emphasis on family support keep young people at home.
In Italy, the stigma of the "Bamboccioni," young adults who live with their parents out of convenience or lack of independence, is waning, revealing harsh realities for many young Italians. Approximately 1 in 7 Italians aged 15 to 29 are unemployed, with stagnating wages and a challenging housing market barring countless young people from independence.
Added to this, the "boomerang generation" phenomenon is on the rise, as many return to their parents' homes due to financial difficulties or longing for familial support.
In Slovakia, the difficulty in navigating the housing market means many people stay with their parents for extended periods, even as working professionals. The lack of affordable rental options requires young adults to save and earn significantly more before they can afford to strike out on their own.
- In contrast to the Scandinavian trend, financial difficulties, high rents, and a lack of well-paid jobs in countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Italy keep young adults at home longer.
- The finance sector in Scandinavian countries, with robust social welfare systems and housing assistance, offers young adults the means to afford living independently, leading to an early move out.
- Investing in real-estate, particularly urban housing developments catering to young adults, can help address the housing challenges faced by young people in countries where moving out is delayed by financial constraints, as seen in Italy.
