# Global youth housing and financial independence trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-youth-housing-and-financial-independence-trends > Updated: 2026-08-31T04:18:02.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Housing costs drive young adults toward parental homes and long-term debt Rising housing costs and economic instability are forcing many young adults to live with parents or take on long-term debt to secure housing in the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/housing-costs-drive-young-adults-toward-parental-homes-and-long-term-debt ### 2026-08-12: Croatia reports highest EU rate of youth living with parents Croatia has the highest rate of young people living with parents in the EU, with an average departure age of 31.5. High housing costs and youth migration are key contributing factors. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-youth-express-pessimism-over-housing-and-future-prospects --- Cite as: Global youth housing and financial independence trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-youth-housing-and-financial-independence-trends