UK Sees 35% of Young Men Aged 20-35 Living With Parents in 2025
New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that 35% of young men in the UK, aged 20-35, were living with their parents in 2025. This figure represents a significant increase from 26% in 2000. While the rate for young women also rose, it stood at 22% in 2025, demonstrating a notable gender disparity.
Recent studies suggest that soaring renting costs and escalating house prices are the primary drivers behind this demographic shift. Nathan, 24, from Manchester, exemplifies this trend, having saved £50,000 by remaining in his father's council house. He notes the financial advantage of reduced rent, enabling savings even on a minimum wage.
Separately, ONS research found the rising cost of living to be the most pressing issue for UK adults, surpassing concerns about the National Health Service and the broader economy. Harry Turnbull, 22, highlighted the prohibitive expense of independent living, having returned to his mother's home in Surrey to complete his studies.
The ONS also reported that approximately three in ten UK households consisted of a single person in 2025, with nearly half of these (around 4 million) being individuals aged 65 and over. Concurrently, the proportion of married couple families has declined, as other family structures, including unmarried couples and single parents, become more common.
Furthermore, over two-thirds of adults surveyed stated that their cost of living had increased in March 2026 compared to the previous month, predominantly due to rising food and petrol prices. Between January and March 2026, almost one in four adults reported they would be unable to cover an unexpected expense of £850, and 3% confirmed they had run out of food within the preceding two weeks without the means to purchase more.
