Postponed autonomy
Portugal is among the European countries where young people encounter the most obstacles in achieving residential autonomy — that is, in leaving their parents’ home and building an independent life project. According to data from the OECD (2024), 68% of young Portuguese people between the ages of 20 and 29 still live with their parents, one of the highest figures in Europe. The combination of low wages with high housing prices and rents pushes many young people towards independence at an increasingly late age.
When looking at the remaining forms of residence in this age group, the dimension of the phenomenon is better understood: 22% live with their partner or spouse, 5% live with other housemates (young people or adults), 3% live alone and 2% live alone, but with dependent children. In simple terms, the majority remain in their parents’ home and, among those who leave, a significant proportion do so mainly through forming a couple, while fully independent living (living alone or in a shared home) continues to be a minority.
This Portuguese pattern is close to what occurs mainly in other southern European countries — Italy, Spain and Greece — where leaving home also tends to happen later. It also appears in some eastern countries, such as Slovakia, Slovenia and Poland, suggesting that this is not an isolated case, but a set of economic and structural conditions that make emancipation difficult.
In contrast, in northern European countries the scenario is quite different: in Denmark, Finland, Sweden or Norway, only 12% to 22% of young people stay at home with their parents. In addition to cultural factors, these countries combine higher wages with more mobile and flexible labor markets, making autonomy more accessible and less delayed.
More than a statistical curiosity, this indicator is relevant because it intersects with life decisions: studying abroad, accepting a job in another region, having children, or simply starting adult life with stability. The more expensive and uncertain the first step is, the later it tends to happen.
- The facts seen through the magnifying glass by André Pinção Lucas e Juliano Ventura – A partnership between POSTAL and the Institute
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