Changing level of homeownership among young adults

Date Published 06 September 2023

* Well under half of today's young adults own their own home (41% of those aged 25–34). Although this has not changed much in the last decade, it was very different for their parents' generation.

* 30 years ago, two thirds (66%) of 25 to 34-year-olds had bought their own home. The steep decline in owner occupation between 1991 and 2011/2012 accounts for the steep increase in the size of the private rented sector.

* With a general election on the horizon, it seems likely that all parties will court the young adult vote with policies to ease that first step onto the housing ladder.

Source: Dataloft, English Housing Survey, data for 2021/2022