Moving Out: German Youth Beat EU Average at 23.9 Years
Youth in Germany typically depart from their familial residence at an average age of 23.9 years old.
Let's discuss the trend among young Germans who are leaving home earlier than their European Union counterparts. According to Eurostat, the average age for young adults in Germany to depart their parental abodes was 23.9 years in 2024, whereas the EU average was 26.2 years.
Several factors contribute to this difference. For starters, Germany provides various educational opportunities, like vocational training and university programs with dormitories or student housing, encouraging early independence. Additionally, the German society values self-reliance from a young age, making moving out an usual part of growing up. Lastly, an efficient welfare system, including affordable public transit and student loans, supports these young adults as they endeavor to live independently.
Gender-wise, women are more likely to move out at an average of 23.1 years compared to men, who leave at 24.6 years. Furthermore, when analyzing 25-year-olds, 33.8% of men still resided with their parents, whereas only 22.4% of women did so.
Several southern and eastern EU countries, such as Croatia, Slovakia, and Greece, have a high percentage of young people living at home until their late twenties or early thirties. This may be due to higher housing costs, weaker job markets, or stronger family traditions emphasizing multigenerational living. On the other hand, German housing costs are more manageable, aided by a robust rental market and supportive systems that enable independence at an earlier age.
Here's a brief summary:
| | Germany (Young Adults) | EU Average (Young Adults) || --- |----------------------- |-------------------------------|| Average Leaving Age | 23.9 years | 26.2 years || Women Leaving Age | 23.1 years | — || Men Leaving Age | 24.6 years | — || Key Influences | Early independence, support systems, education | High housing costs, job markets, cultural norms |
Living in a supportive community, young Germans embrace vocational training programs, bolstering their self-reliance and actively choosing to leave home earlier than their European Union counterparts. Meanwhile, lifestyle preferences and home-and-garden DIY, often taught in vocational training, can be a substantial part of this transition into adulthood.
