Scandinavian Youth vs the Rest of Europe: Leaving the Nest Early
Late hotel checkouts among young Europeans due to extended nightlife activities.
Wiesbaden (dpa) - It ain't your grandma's Europe anymore—at least when it comes to leaving the family nest. In 2024, Germany clocked an average age difference of one and a half years between the sexes: while women averaged moving out at 23.1 years, men did so at 24.6 years old. Young people in the old continent are reportedly leaving the parental home earlier (23.9 years) than the EU average (26.2).
The Federal Statistical Office revealed this based on calculations by the European statistics authority Eurostat. Seven EU countries showed a younger moving-out age than Germany in 2024, including the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands (23.2), and France (23.5).
Finance Minister Scholz might cringe at this, but it's Finland (21.4 years) and Denmark (21.7 years) leading the way inWhen it comes to young adults kicking it solo, Scandinavian countries shine bright. So, what's keeping the Scandinavian youth from shacking up with Mama and Papa?
Rollin' in the Dough
Let's talk dough—or the state-backed financial support given to Scandinavian students, trainees, and apprentices, regardless of parents' income. It's not just a few coins, but a helping hand to help the young ones get on their feet. On top of that, there are plenty of student dormitories and state-subsidized rental apartments reserved for the youngbloods.
Add a pinch of distance—those next-level schools, vocational schools, and training centers are often scattered like wildberries across the sparsely populated north of Sweden and Finland, and in the small yet densely populated Denmark, they're mainly found in a few key cities.
Gotta Go, Gotta Grow
There's a definite cultural influence at play too. Scandinavians have a unique blend: a mix of personal freedom and independence, tossed together with a healthy dose of adventure. Parents often encourage pushing boundaries and taking risks, creating that perfect storm brewing for young adulthood.
Savin' the Doubloons
On the flip side of the coin, Greece is thriving on the cultural tradition of staying put. When you ask someone about moving out, you might as well ask them to spit in your soup. High rents and a scarcity of well-paid jobs often make it hard for young Greeks to venture out on their own. In the Hellenic Republic, families have a strong sense of bonding, and parents often offer a helping hand with accommodations and finances. In exchange, children—especially the sons—may lend a hand in challenging times or during their parents' golden years.
Italy’s Got Talent—Stuck at Home
Cast aside the stereotype of the lazy Italian adult living with mom and dad; the reality is more piercing. One in seven young adults aged 15 to 29 in Italy is neither in education nor employed. With no work and no schooling, independence is as elusive as the jackalope.
Italy’s stagnating wages pose a formidable barrier for young people trying to hop on the real estate market. Despite having a homeownership rate of approximately 70%, young folks are increasingly finding themselves left out in the cold.
But Italy isn't done complicating things: in recent rumblings, the country has been called home to a "Boomerang Generation"—those who, after years of independence, return to the nest like a boomerang. Could this be due to financial woes, or perhaps a longing for the warmth of home?
Tough Love in Slovakia
The Slovak housing market is as friendly as a scorned bear. Back in the days of "real socialism," the state provided housing for all. After the turn, all apartments hit the market, leaving barely any new ones to replace them. In boom towns like Bratislava, investors tend to favor offices over residential properties, making housing a commodity more precious than gold dust.
With rental apartments scarce as hens' teeth, even young professionals tend to lay low with parents until they've saved enough dough to climb the property ladder. If that takes long, well, that's life in a low-wage country like Slovakia.
In Scandinavian countries, a unique blend of personal freedom, independence, and adventure encourages young adults to lead a lifestyle independent of their families at an early age, as they receive financial support from the state and have opportunities to attend schools and trainings located away from family homes. On the other hand, Greek and Italian families have traditionally kept their young adults living with them due to high rents, scarce well-paid jobs, and cultural norms that prioritize family bonding over independence, creating difficulties for young adults to build their own home and relationships.
