Young men 26 times more likely to live with mother than wife

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 19:08 · Archive

Young men are now 26 times more likely to live with their mother than a wife by age 25, according to research by the Centre for Social Justice.

Young men in Britain are now 26 times more likely to live with their mother than a wife by age 25, according to new research by the Centre for Social Justice. The number of married people under 30 has collapsed from 4.5 million in 1976 to approximately 790,000 today, despite the population increasing overall. The marriage rate for men in their early twenties is down 97 per cent compared to 50 years ago, while the rate for people married by 30 is down 90 per cent – equivalent to around 3.7 million fewer married people under 30.

Men in their 20s are substantially more likely than women of the same age to be living at home with their parents. The proportion of people aged 20 to 34 living with their parents has risen from 20 per cent in 2008 to nearly 30 per cent in 2025. The CSJ identified high housing costs and difficulties in meeting people as key factors making it harder for young people to move in with partners and form stable relationships.

Edward Davies, research director of the CSJ, warned that the trend threatens individual health and happiness as well as Britain's economic viability if left unchecked. The think tank also notes that the UK fertility rate has fallen to a record low of 1.39 children per woman, with the average age of motherhood rising from 23 in the 1970s to 31 in 2025.

How it is being reported

• Britain's 'relationship recession': Young men are now 26 times more likely to live with their mother than wife by the time they turn 25In what has been described as a 'relationship recession', a new paper revealed there are now millions fewer married people under 30 than in 1976, despite there being more young people.Daily Mail · 1 Nov, 18:48
• UK dating crisis as young men 'more likely to live with their mum than find a wife'Britain in a 'relationships recession', with younger people radically less likely to be married than earlier generationsDaily Express · 31 Oct, 18:25

In this story: Centre for Social Justice · Edward Davies · Britain · UK

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