Arabic version: مسح هيلدا يكشف ارتفاع عدد الشباب البالغين المقيمين مع والديهم

According to ABC News, half of Australians aged 18 to 29 were living with their parents in 2024, compared with 39 per cent in 2001. The latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey draws on data collected from 2001 to 2024 and follows the same 17,000 people each year.

The survey found that two-thirds of young adults who had left the parental home were renting privately. Young renters reported higher rates of housing inadequacy and lower satisfaction than people who stayed with parents or moved into home ownership. In mainland capital cities, 25.3 per cent of young private renters were in housing stress in 2024, up from 17.6 per cent for the equivalent group in 2001.

Housing stress among young mortgage holders was comparatively stable, rising from 8.6 per cent in 2001 to 9.9 per cent in 2024. The report’s authors said this suggested entry into mortgages had increasingly been restricted to young adults with higher earnings, substantial savings or access to family wealth.

The report also found that half of Australian workers believed they were over-educated for their role and a quarter felt over-skilled. Lead author Dr Inga Lass said the share reporting over-education was the same as in 2012. Women’s educational attainment continued to rise, with well over half of women aged 25 to 44 holding a university degree, compared with 40 per cent of men in that age group.

Employment was high in 2024, but the survey said higher housing costs and other non-discretionary spending were placing people under greater financial pressure. Professor Roger Wilkins said earnings were not rising enough to keep up with those increases. The survey also found that most Australians in long-term relationships rated their relationships highly, while financial stress, caring for children and living with disability were linked to lower scores.