In the original language
Across Europe, increasing proportions of young adults remain in parental homes, challenging traditional adulthood markers. In 2019, 31% of Europeans aged 25-34 lived with parents, varying dramatically from 4% in Denmark to over 50% in Southern Europe. Using Generations and Gender Survey data Rounds I and II (2004-2022), we examine factors driving prolonged intergenerational co-residence and its implications for life course transitions, focusing on the Czech Republic. Preliminary findings reveal Czech Republic exhibited Europe's highest co-residence rates in 2005 (42% of young adults), declining to 20% by 2020-2022, yet remaining high by Western European standards. Estonia demonstrates similar decline (30% to 10%), while Netherlands shows contrasting increase (12% to 19%). Remarkably, despite high co-residence rates, young adults across all studied countries report strong intentions to establish independent households within three years, with Nordic countries showing highest mobility intentions. This contradiction between current living arrangements and future aspirations is particularly pronounced in post-socialist contexts, where structural constraints housing affordability, labor market conditions, welfare regime characteristics delay residential independence without diminishing autonomy aspirations. The persistence of high mobility intentions despite prolonged co-residence highlights tensions between housing aspirations and material realities in contemporary Europe, suggesting co-residence represents complex negotiations of economic necessity, cultural norms, and family strategies amid housing crisis.