Housing costs drive young adults toward parental homes and long-term debt

Young adults are increasingly facing challenges in achieving financial independence due to rising housing costs and economic instability. In the United States, research from Clever Real Estate indicates that approximately 49 percent of recent graduates have moved back in with their parents following graduation. This trend is often a strategic financial decision driven by high rents and the inadequacy of entry-level salaries in major cities.

Pew Research Center data further highlights this struggle, noting that only 45 percent of Americans aged 18 to 34 are entirely financially independent, with 44 percent receiving some form of financial assistance from parents in the last year. Despite having higher levels of education than previous generations, today's youth face greater debt and higher living expenses.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, similar pressures are evident as young people weigh the high cost of rent against long-term mortgage commitments. Individuals are increasingly opting for 15-year loans to secure housing, often facing difficulties such as limited access to subsidies that are frequently reserved for married couples rather than single buyers.