From Nest to New Horizons: Living Trends in Australia

Key takeaways

Some 7.8 million children were living at home with their parents in 2021, and 23% of these children were living with their single parents. Additionally, some 120,000 children over 50 years old were living with their parents.

Table 2 shows that by 2034, the total number of households in Australia is set to leap from 10.66 million to 12.31 million, with lone-person households leading the charge with a 30% increase.

These trends tell us that people are living solo, in varied family arrangements, and in multigenerational households. This supports the need for smaller housing solutions.

Let’s dive into some intriguing numbers about where Australians are living now and where we’re headed in the next decade.

First up, check out Table 1.

Some 7.8 million children – a whopping 30% of the population in 2021 – were living at home with their parents.

Just under four-fifths (77%) lived with their coupled parents, and 23% lived with their single parents.

Now as you would expect, some 55% of these children – totalling 4.26 million kiddies – are aged under 12 years.

Also, not surprising, that teenagers aren’t straying too far either, with 23% (around 1.8 million) hanging around.

Yet when children these days hit their twenties, about 15% (1.19 million) are still under the same roof as their parents.

And a further 260,000 children aged in their thirties still live at home, as do 130,000 children in their 40s.

These numbers present big increases in previous decades.

Plus, about 120,000 ‘kids’ over 50 years old were living with their parents in 2021.

One hopes that children over 40 years old are assisting mum and dad, rather than still sponging off them!

Regardless of the reason, this data clearly shows that kids these days are flying the coop much later than in the past – and if in some cases - at all.

Now, Table 2 gives us a glimpse into the crystal ball for the next ten years.

By 2034, the total number of households in Australia is set to leap from 10.66 million to 12.31 million.  

That’s an annual jump of about 164,000 households.

Lone-person households are leading the charge with a 30% increase, adding nearly 49,000 new households each year.

Couple families without kids are not far behind, with a 27% rise on the horizon.

Even couple families with kids are growing by 25%.

One-parent families are set to increase by 12%, and group households will see a modest 5% bump.

Final note

These trends tell us a lot.  

We're moving towards smaller and more diverse household setups.

The traditional family home isn’t the only game in town anymore.

More people are living solo or in varied family arrangements, including the rise in multigenerational households.

This supports my thesis – like a squeaky wheel – that there is a need for smaller housing solutions like backyard homes plus housing that allows for several tenants or generations to live under the same roof.

About Michael Matusik Michael is director of independent property advisory Matusik Property Insights. He is independent, perceptive and to the point; has helped over 550 new residential developments come to fruition and writes his insightful Matusik Missive