Results from the latest Eurostat survey shows more than half of Greeks in their mid-20s to mid-30s live with their parents, a significantly larger proportion than other European Union countries.
Specifically, 56.3 percent of Greeks aged 25 to 34 said they lived with their parents in 2018, the highest rate in the EU after Croatia and Slovakia.
Although many claim this is due to the current financial crisis in Greece, others beg to differ, considering Greek adults in the Diaspora also live with their parents longer than other nationalities, highlighting this may be more of a social and cultural decision, as opposed to a financial one.
For example, a study in Australia in 2014, showed Greek males are the most reluctant young adults of all to leave home. The results of the Australian Institute of Family Studies showed family background and gender were key factors in determining when young people leave home.
The study of 146,000 young adults showed just over 40 percent of those in their late 20s from Greek backgrounds had left their home. This was compared with more than 60 percent of those from British and Irish backgrounds.
The family unit is of the utmost importance to most Greeks worldwide, who rely on their family for emotional and in many cases financial support. The social life of many Greeks of any age revolves around family, relatives and extended family also plays a strong role in their life.
It is not taboo for people in their 20’s and 30’s to be living at home, in fact, it is quite the opposite, with many families feeling embarrassed when their single children decide to leave home if they are not married.
For young Greek adults, it is not unheard of for both young men and women to first leave home after their wedding. Whereas in other nationalities, it is fairly common for children to leave home as soon as they turn 18, regardless of their relationship status.
Most Greek parents worldwide do not expect or demand their children pay rent as soon as they turn 18, nor do the majority of Greek parents encourage their young adult children to leave home. In many cases, they motivate their children to study, save money and purchase their own property and car, or to travel.
Of course, times are changing and nowadays there are many young Greek adults around the world who leave home at the age of 18, however, compared to other nationalities, it is still nowhere near as common.