The number of families in Richmond where adults are still living with their parents is up by 18.9% in a decade to 10,190, according to census details released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The increase is part of a similar shift across the country, which appears to be linked to the difficulty for young people in buying a property or affording sky-high rents.

The net effect is that young people – particularly young men - are delaying achieving key personal milestones, such as getting married and having children.

The increase of 18.9% seen in Richmond compares to a rise of 13.6% for England and Wales as a whole – taking the total almost 3.8m - and 24.5% seen across London.

In Richmond borough some 18.4 per cent of families have an adult child living with them, not least because many university graduates have come home rather than striking out on their own.

Some 18.4% of Richmond families have an adult child living with them (Credit https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/moreadultslivingwiththeirparents/2023-05-10)

The ONS definition of an adult child is a 'non-dependent' person over 18 - and it is clear that this arrangement is now increasingly considered a perfectly normal arrangement.

The average (median) age of adult children living with their parents in England and Wales in 2021 was 24 years, one year older than in 2011, while the figure in London was 25.

The ONS said: "There are many factors that may cause a person to live with their parents as an adult.

"Adults were more likely to live with their parents in areas where housing is less affordable. Adult children were also more likely to be unemployed, or providing unpaid care.

"Male adult children outnumbered female adult children in 2021 at a ratio of about 3 to 2 (60.8% and 39.2%, respectively). This is a similar split to 2011 (61.6% and 38.4%)."

The ONS suggested these living arrangements are increasingly 'normal', adding: "Despite Census 2021 being conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated lockdowns, the rise in numbers of adults living with their parents appears to be a continuing trend rather than a result of the pandemic."

Historically, parents could have expected greater freedom once their children became adults and moved on. However, they now face higher bills and, potentially, overcrowding as their offspring stay at home.

The ONS said: "More than one in seven families with adult children live in overcrowded households

"Families with adult children were also more likely to be in overcrowded households, meaning their accommodation has fewer bedrooms than the number recommended for its size.

"Overcrowding among families with adult children was most prevalent in London (23.2%), while the North East had the lowest rate of overcrowding among these families (6.7%). The overcrowding rate among families with adult children in Wales was 6.9%."