Most young people live at home
Young people most commonly live with their own parents or people in a parent role. In 1996, 63.3 percent of people aged 12 to 25 lived with parents, compared to 18.3 percent not living with family, 10.4 percent living with partners but no children and 8.0 percent living with children of their own. The likelihood of young people living with their parents is most strongly associated with age but also varies with a number of other factors, including participation in the labour force and in education, and with demographic factors such as sex and ethnicity.
Overall, young people in the labour force are less likely to live with their parents than those not in the labour force (49.9 percent compared to 58.7 percent of 15 to 25-year-olds in 1996). Those employed full time (more than 30 hours per week) are the least likely to live with their parents (38.5 percent).
However, when analysed by individual year of age, the pattern is more complex. In 1996, only between the ages of 15 and 17 were those in full-time employment the least likely to live with their parents. From the age of 18 onwards, people who were not in the labour force were the least likely to live with their parents. This is possibly because people in this category tend to be involved in tertiary education, which may necessitate leaving home in order to attend institutions in other towns or cities. Also people who seek work locally after leaving school may have more opportunity to continue living at home with their parents. This may account for the relatively high proportions of young workers between the ages of 18 and 22 living with parents.
For more information you can order New Zealand Now series - Young New Zealanders
Young New Zealanders
Shrinking Youth Population
More Young Males than Young Females
Youth Population is ethnically diverse
Cities offer study and employment
Young people move a lot
More students stay longer at school
Who gets school qualifications?
More females in tertiary education
Work and study for tertiary students
Young people more qualified
15-24-year-olds' annual income
Fall of median youth income
Unemployment benefit for 20-24 years
Higher household incomes
Most young people live at home
Young people living apart from family
De facto partners for 15-25-year-olds
Fertility of young women falling
More young people work part time
Main industries for young workers
Young workers highest unemployed
Unemployment by ethnic group
Young people: causes of deaths
Young men and vehicle deaths
Young people have high suicide rate
Young men heavier drinkers
Fewer young smokers in 1996
back to top