Spain is seeing a sharp decline in the number of young people who can afford to live independently from their parents. In the second half of 2024, only 15.2% of citizens under the age of 30 are living on their own. This is the lowest figure ever recorded for the second half of any year.
The main reasons for this situation are the rising cost of living, low incomes among young people, and especially high rental prices. The average net monthly income for a young Spaniard is €1,170, but almost all of this—over 92%—would have to go toward rent if renting an apartment alone. As a result, most young people who choose to live independently still opt for renting, and more than half are forced to share housing with roommates in order to manage expenses.
Buying their own home is also virtually unattainable for young people. To save for a down payment, a young person would need to set aside their entire salary for four years. To fully pay for an apartment, it would take at least 14 years of uninterrupted work.
Despite the fact that the share of so-called ‘ni-ni’ youth—those who neither study nor work—has dropped to less than 3%, and the number of young people who both study and work has risen to 35.5%, these positive trends have not led to more independence. Only 26.4% of employed young people live separately from their parents, meaning three out of four still remain in the family home.
Difficulties with independent living also affect the overall level of well-being. About 30% of young people in Spain are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Even among employed youth, nearly one in five faces the threat of poverty.
The situation with young people living independently is similar across the country, though some regions have even lower rates. The highest proportion of young people living on their own is recorded in Madrid and Catalonia—17.9% and 17.6% respectively—despite these being the most expensive regions for renting housing. Meanwhile, in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia, the figures are just 10.6% and 12%, the lowest in the country.
Thus, for most young Spaniards, independent living remains an unattainable goal due to high housing costs and insufficient income. Experts note that unless there are changes in the labor market and real estate sector, the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.
