The “Stay-at-Home” generation. Why do young Romanians postpone leaving the parental “nest”.

Romania is experiencing a real estate paradox: although it occupies a leading place in Europe with an ownership rate of 83%, our country is facing an increasingly pronounced social phenomenon — a generation of young people who remain in their parents' home long after the age of 30. The specialists consulted by “Adevărul” explained the reasons why young Romanians prefer to continue living with their parents, but also what would lead them to move.

Young people prefer to live with their parents. Photo by Shutterstock

A study carried out at the end of the year at the European level shows that living with parents is a combination of “necessity and strategy”, Romania having one of the highest rates in the EU of young people living with their parents, who leave the parental home at the age of 28 on average. Almost half of young people under 35, even those employed, remain in the family household due to insufficient income and high costs.

It's hard to live off your salary at the beginning of your career

Asked why so many young people prefer to live with their parents, sociologist Romeo Asiminei, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social-Political Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, explained to “Adevărul” that, “from a sociological perspective, prolonged living with parents in Romania generally has a combination of structural and cultural causes”.

“At a structural level, the main factor is the low accessibility of independent housing: the ratio between young people's income and the real costs of a rent or a loan, to which are added the costs of utilities, but also daily expenses, remains difficult, especially in the urban environment. Added to this is the precariousness of the first years of a career (unstable employment contracts, starting wages closer to the minimum in the economy, internal migration for jobs), but also the lack of consistent housing policies for young people. Under these conditions, co-residence (living with parents) functions as an economic “safety net”, but also as an accumulation strategy (saving for a down payment on a house or for relocation).

At the cultural level, the model of the extended family and intergenerational solidarity still have a great weight in Romania: it is not only about dependence, but also about reciprocity (parents provide financial/logistical support, and young people offer help in the household, care, companionship). In many families, the norms are less about leaving at 18–22 and more about leaving “when you're ready”: stable job, stable relationship, predictable living conditions. An important role is also played by emotional factors: comfort, risk avoidance, but also the fact that transitions (employment, couple, children) happen later than in the case of previous generations”declared university associate. Dr. Romeo Asimina for “truth“.

Living with parents is a pragmatic strategy in an uncertain economic climate

For his part, Călin Spiridon, founder of the Minglr application, explained to “Adevărul” that most of the active users of the application are between 18 and 35 years old and use it when they go out to cafes, restaurants, bars, coworking spaces or events.

“The data shows that the majority of 18- to 30-year-olds say they still live with their parents or have temporarily returned home after a period of independence.

The main reasons why young Romanians stay longer in their parents' house are of an economic nature: high rent costs in big cities, large advances for real estate loans and income instability in the first years of their careers. Young people who live with their parents are just as socially active as those who live alone or rent, but are much more financially prudent and avoid long-term commitments, including rental contracts.

Another important factor is the need for security and flexibility. Many young people mention in conversations and profiles that they prefer to stay at home temporarily to save money, invest in education or personal projects, and maintain professional mobility. In this context, living with parents is no longer perceived as a social failure, but as a pragmatic strategy in an uncertain economic climate”Spiridon explained to “The Truth”.

What would lead young people to move alone

Asked what would cause young people to move out of their parents' home, conf. univ.dr. Asiminei said there are several reasons.

“What, concretely, would lead young people to move? Five main motivations: (1) financial stability – sufficient and predictable income; (2) access to affordable housing – reasonable rents or support programs (guarantees, subsidies, housing for young people); (3) life events – formation of a couple, the need for privacy or autonomy, the arrival of children; (4) professional mobility – studies in another city or relocation for the workplace; (5) changes in family dynamics – household crowding or conflicts between household members. I would emphasize that the phenomenon should not be read as moralizing. It is not about the fact that young people “don't want to leave”, but that they rationally adapt to an expensive housing market, an unstable labor market and family norms that still value mutual support“, explained the sociologist.

For his part, Călin Spiridon said that there are three main triggers. “The first is financial stability: a predictable income that allows paying rent without constant pressure.

The second is the desire for personal autonomy and privacy, especially when stable relationships arise or the intention to build a family. The third is access to more flexible housing solutions: short-term rentals, co-living spaces or smaller homes, well connected to transport and social areas.

Interestingly, young people say they have a greater motivation to move to build an independent lifestyle and social identity of their own. For them, moving out of their parents' house is not just an economic decision, but one related to status, privacy and personal freedom.

In conclusion, our data show that Romanians do not stay longer with their parents because of a lack of desire for independence, but because of economic constraints and the need for security. Young people are mentally prepared to move, but they are waiting for the right financial moment and more flexible housing solutions that will allow them to take the step without excessive pressure”Spiridon explained to “The Truth”.

48% of young Romanians stay with their parents so they can take care of them

Romania boasts some of the highest levels of property ownership on the continent, with an 83% home ownership rate – considerably higher than the 63% home ownership rate across Europe.

However, a significantly higher percentage of Romanians than in other European countries prefer to stay with their parents, for various reasons.

A study carried out at the end of the year at European level shows that living with parents is a combination of “necessity and strategy'.

At the European level, 26% of young people cite caring for their parents as a reason for living with them, with higher proportions in Romania (48%), Poland (32%) and the Czech Republic (32%).

Romanians are burdened by bills

The rising cost of living is being felt in Romania, as only 40% of Re/Max study participants say they feel comfortable with housing costs – less than the European average (45%).

Energy costs have emerged as the most acute pressure point, creating a widening gap between Romanian households and their European counterparts. About 30% of Romanians express their comfort with energy bills, compared to 45% of the inhabitants of the continent. Meanwhile, around 22% of young Romanians say they face these costs, compared to 16% at the European level.

This energy crisis is pushing for changes in the financial behavior of households. In Romania, 18% of respondents say they used loans in the last 12 months to cover housing costs, not including existing mortgages, slightly higher than the European average (13%).

Despite these financial pressures, housing satisfaction levels appear remarkably positive, with 81% of Romanians satisfied with their housing situation. Among those dissatisfied with their home, the price is mentioned less often in Romania (20%) than in Europe (34%); concerns instead focus on limited space (36%) and outdated facilities (28%). More telling is the optimism for the future: among those who do not own a home, 63% believe they will be able to purchase a home at some point in their lives, exceeding the European average of 56%.