Young Slovenians Delay Independence, Leaving Home Around Age 29

Young Slovenians are delaying moving out of their parents' homes, with the average age for leaving now around 28.8 years old. This marks a significant shift from previous generations where a linear progression from education to employment, independent living, and family formation was more common. Social psychologist Dr. Metka Kuhar notes that this transition is now longer, more varied, and less predictable.

Several factors contribute to this trend. Kuhar points to evolving values among young people and crucial material and structural conditions. These include the availability and cost of housing, high rental prices, a limited rental market, income levels, precarious entry-level jobs, and extended periods of education. Simply having a job is often not enough; the actual income is a more significant determinant of independence.

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In recent decades, life has changed considerably, and so have the process of growing up and the transition to adulthood. It used to be more standardized and linear. After finishing school, employment, moving out of parents' homes, partnership, and family followed. Today, these transitions are longer, more varied, less predictable, and do not necessarily happen in that order.

While Slovenia shows positive indicators compared to other European countries, such as a high tertiary education enrollment rate (49% for 20-24 year olds) and a lower-than-average youth unemployment rate, the tendency to live with parents persists. In 2025, 79.9% of young people aged 16-29 lived with their parents. This contrasts sharply with countries like Finland, where young people leave home at an average age of 21.3, and Croatia, where the average is 31.5.

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The actual income is more important than the job itself.