One in three young Irish men still living at home

Thirty-four point nine percent of men in Ireland remain in the family home at age 25, a statistic that dwarfs the 22 percent figure for women of the same age. The gap indicates that young men are nearly one and a half times more likely than their female counterparts to still live with their parents.

The Centre for Social Justice released this data as part of a new report on social trends. The organization noted that the likelihood of a 25-year-old man living with his mother rather than a partner has increased dramatically over the last few decades. Specifically, the report states that young men are 26 times more likely now to stay living with their mothers compared to historical baselines. This shift occurs against the backdrop of falling marriage rates among young men, which the data shows have dropped by 97 percent.

Leslie Shoemaker, a counselling psychologist and lecturer at TU Dublin, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast regarding the findings. She described the situation as more complex than a simple lack of motivation among men to leave the house. Shoemaker pointed to increasing rates of loneliness and mental health issues within this demographic, noting that these factors often delay the move to independent living.

She argued that financial stability remains a key driver for marriage in this age group. Sociologists have consistently shown that when men have secure employment and finances, they are more likely to marry. In previous generations, marriage was often a starting point for financial struggle, with couples agreeing to build their wealth together. Today, however, the pressure to have a stable job and finances before entering a marriage creates a different dynamic for young men.

Shoemaker suggested that much of this pressure is self-imposed. She stated that she has not seen widespread external requirements mandating that men must possess specific assets before being considered eligible for marriage. Instead, she believes men are internalizing these expectations, feeling they must have their lives fully settled before taking the step toward a partner. This internal pressure contributes to the delay in moving out and forming households.

Another factor influencing the timeline is the increase in life expectancy. The average Irish woman now reaches age 84, while the average man reaches 81. Because people are living longer, the urgency to marry and start a family in one’s 20s has diminished. This extended lifespan allows for a more gradual approach to life milestones, such as buying a home or starting a family, which may further explain the high percentage of young adults remaining in their parents' homes.