Global youth housing and financial independence trends

Global trends indicate that young adults are increasingly struggling to achieve financial independence due to rising housing costs and economic instability.

In Croatia, statistical data shows that young people stay in their parental homes longer than anywhere else in the European Union, leaving at an average age of 31.5 years. Approximately 89.1% of individuals aged 16 to 29 live with their parents. While youth employment in Croatia has improved, high rental and real estate prices remain primary drivers for this trend. Demographic shifts and youth migration also present challenges, with young people accounting for 30% of all emigrants from Croatia in 2025.

Similar pressures are observed in the United States, where approximately 49% of recent graduates have moved back in with parents following graduation. Data indicates that only 45% of Americans aged 18 to 34 are entirely financially independent. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, young people are weighing high rent against long-term mortgage commitments, often opting for 15-year loans due to limited access to subsidies.