More Than One in Three Young Men Live with Parents in 2025

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 35% of men aged 20-35 in the UK were living with their parents in 2025, a rise from 26% in 2000. This trend is attributed to climbing rental expenses and soaring property prices, as highlighted by recent analyses. While the proportion of young women in the same age range in this situation is 22%, both groups have seen a steady upward shift.

Financial Pressures Shape Living Arrangements

The ONS also noted that 30% of UK households in 2025 were single-person households. Over 4 million of these residents were aged 65 or older, a marginal rise since 2015. Meanwhile, the share of households led by married couples with or without children has dropped, as alternative family structures—such as unmarried partnerships and single-parent households—become more prevalent.

Personal Accounts Highlight the Trend

Nathan, 24, resides with his father in a council house near Manchester. His job involves cleaning and maintaining trains during night shifts, yet he has managed to accumulate a savings fund of £50,000 by staying in the family home. “If you’re lucky enough to live with a mum, dad, or grandparent who doesn’t demand high rent, you can save money even on minimum wage,” he explains. Nathan focuses on budget-friendly meals like chillis and stews, avoids impulsive spending, and limits nightlife costs to under £20 per outing. “I’m not overly interested in flashy cars, alcohol splurges, or £500 trainers,” he adds.

“Everything is now incredibly costly, with prices climbing sharply,” says Harry Turnbull, 22, who recently moved back in with his mother in Surrey. After three years of living with friends as a student on the south coast, he found independence unaffordable. “Young people should have more flexibility to live on their own, but right now, it’s not feasible,” he notes.

Cost of Living Surpasses Other Concerns

Separate research by the ONS revealed that the rising cost of living was the top challenge for adults, surpassing issues like the NHS and general economic conditions. In March 2026, over 2/3rds of adults reported higher living expenses compared to the prior month, with food and fuel costs cited as primary reasons. Between January and March, nearly one in four adults admitted they couldn’t cover an unexpected yet essential expense of £850, while 3% faced food shortages in the past two weeks.