The evidence that shows today's 20-somethings really do have it worse
New analysis suggests that young adults in the UK face significantly greater economic hurdles than previous generations, particularly regarding home ownership and wage stagnation. Over 40% of 25-year-olds now live with their parents, a sharp increase from previous decades due to rising housing costs.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing generational wealth gap and systemic economic instability that could have long-term social and political consequences for the UK.
Figure caption, Watch: Adam, Daisy, Rachel and Shahida on the struggles they face with home ownership, employment and wage stagnation
Young people in their 20s are facing a tougher start to adulthood than any generation in almost half a century, according to analysis of UK data on housing, employment and wealth, carried out for the BBC.
More than 40% of 25-year-olds are now living with their parents, their wages have stagnated and employment has fallen, show the figures which compare key metrics for different generations at age 25 stretching back to the early 1980s.
The findings are underscored by the experiences of young people themselves who, along with parents, have contacted BBC Your Voice about their circumstances, with many saying they were frustrated about being accused by older generations of not trying hard enough.
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