The latest census data reveals a significant increase in the number of adult children living with their parents in England and Wales compared to a decade ago. Most individuals in their early 20s still reside in their family home, reflecting a shift in societal norms.
Between the 2011 Census and Census 2021, the number of families in England and Wales with adult children living at home rose by 13.6% to nearly 3.8 million. In 2021, approximately 22.4% of families had an adult child living with them, up from 21.2% in 2011. The total number of adult children living with their parents increased by 14.7% over the same period, from about 4.2 million in 2011 to around 4.9 million in 2021.
The term “adult children” refers to individuals over 18 years old living with their parents who do not have a spouse, partner, or child living with them. It also includes those aged 16 to 18 who are not in full-time education and have no spouse, child, or partner living with them.
The average age of adult children living with their parents has risen across England and Wales in the past decade, with most people in their early 20s still living at home. Factors influencing this trend include housing affordability and unemployment, as well as adult children providing unpaid care.
In 2021, male adult children accounted for 60.8% of those living with their parents, while females represented 39.2%, a ratio similar to that seen in 2011. Despite the 2021 Census being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, the increase in adults living with their parents appears to be a continuing trend rather than a direct result of the pandemic.
The average age of adult children living with their parents in England and Wales was 24 years in 2021, one year older than in 2011. The age was highest in London, with an average of 25 years.
