Young Germans abandon their parents‘ home at an average age of 24.1 years, according to Eurostat data cited by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
How the EU average compares to Germany’s trend
The EU-wide average for leaving the parental home in 2025 was 26.3 years, placing Germany below the bloc mean but showing a slight increase from 23.9 years in 2024. Young Croatians remain at home longest, moving out at an average of 31.5 years, followed by Greeks and Slovaks at 30.9 years.
Where young adults move out earliest in Europe
In Northern Europe, the trend toward earlier independence is pronounced, with Finns leaving at 21.3 years on average, Danes at 21.8 years, and Lithuanians at 22.7 years. These figures contrast sharply with Southern and Eastern European patterns where familial cohabitation extends well into the thirties.
Gender differences persist in moving-out timing
German men leave the parental home at an average of 24.8 years, while women do so at 23.3 years, a gap that mirrors broader EU trends. The Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland notes this disparity has remained consistent across recent years despite shifting economic and social conditions.
Why has the average moving-out age in Germany risen slightly?
The source attributes the increase from 23.9 to 24.1 years between 2024 and 2025 to unspecified socioeconomic factors, though it does not cite specific causes such as housing costs or labor market conditions.
Does the gender gap in moving-out age exist outside Germany?
Yes, the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland states that the pattern of men leaving home later than women is likewise observable in the EU-wide comparison, though the source does not provide comparative figures for other member states.
