UK: Return of multi-generational households as two in three agree living with family is beneficial

Multigenerational households could be set to grow in popularity as property costs continue to rise.

  • 52% rise in UK house prices from 2005-15 coincides with 46% increase in multi-family households
  • Number of 21-34s living with parents increases by 32% in same period
  • Company and reduced living costs are main benefits of multigenerational living
  • 57% would move back in with family to help save for a deposit 

A new report from Aviva suggests that based on the rate of growth seen in the past 10 years – and assuming house prices will continue to rise – there could be 2.2 million people living in multi-family households and 3.8 million 21-34s living with their parents by 2025.

However, rather than being a negative trend, two in three (66%) people currently in this living situation say the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages, according to Aviva’s inaugural ‘Home’ report which focuses on the changing face of UK households.

House prices and multi-living increase together

Average UK house prices rose 52% between 2005 and 2015, up from £184,000 to £279,000.1

At the same time, the number of adult ‘children’ living with parents has also grown considerably. In 2015 there were an estimated 2.8 million adults aged 21-34 living with their parents, the equivalent of 23% of people in this age group2. This is an increase of 32%, or more than half a million (684,000) people since 2005.

In addition ONS data on multi-family households** also shows a 46% increase in the number of people living in this type of household between 2005 and 2015, up from 1.1 million to 1.5 million3.

Affordability of housing appears to play a huge role in people’s decision to stay living with family or moving back in with them. When asked about situations when they might consider this living arrangement for six months or more, saving for a house deposit (57%) was the second most common reason given, beaten only by caring for an unwell relative (71%).

Multigenerational living provides constant company and cheaper living costs

While two in five (42%) of all UK adults believe living as part of a multigenerational household would be a positive arrangement, this rises to 66% of those already living in this type of household, suggesting there is a gap between people’s perceptions of multigenerational living and the reality.

Those living in a multigenerational household say the main benefits are: other people being around for company (72%), cheaper shared living costs (62%) and more people to share chores (56%). Only 12% of those already in a multigenerational household say the disadvantages outweigh the benefits, compared to 21% of all UK adults.

Advantages of living as part of a multigenerational household

Those already living in multigenerational households All UK adults
There’s always someone around to talk to/for company – 72% There would always be someone around to talk to/for company – 69%
It’s cheaper to share living costs – 62%  It would be cheaper to share living costs – 56%
There are more people to share chores – 56% There would be more people to share chores – 50% 
A bigger family makes it feel like more of a home – 53% A bigger family would make it feel like more of a home – 53%
I like the fact that I am looking after other family members – 40% I like the idea of looking after other family members – 35%

Lindsey Rix, MD Personal Lines Aviva UK, GI comments: “Multigenerational living is often seen as a necessity rather than a choice, particularly when adults are forced to move back in with family to help save for long-term goals like buying their own house. But rather than being an inconvenience, our report shows it is often a positive experience, with shared living costs reducing financial strain and the added benefit of constant company.

“If house prices continue to rise at their current rate, we can expect the number of multigenerational houses to continue to grow. What we need from our properties – and how we go about protecting them – will also adapt as the UK’s way of living evolves.

“We’d encourage anyone whose households have changed - particularly if they’ve welcomed new people into their homes - to get in touch with their insurer to make sure they have the right kind of cover in place for their new living arrangements.”

- Ends –

Download Aviva's Changing Households Report 2016  PDF (1MB)


If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact:


Aviva Press Office: Sarah Poulter, 01904 452 828, sarah.poulter@aviva.com
Instinctif Partners: Rachel Morrod, 0207 427 1431, rachel.morrod@instinctif.com

Notes to editors:

Methodology: Based on a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults aged 16 and over, carried out by Censuswide in April 2016.

* With two or more generations living under the same roof.
** Classed as a household containing two or more families, for example a married couple living with their elderly parents.

1 ONS House Price Index, Annual Tables (mix-adjusted prices)
2 ONS Young Adults Living with their Parents data (November 2015) 2005 = 2,161,000, 2015 = 2,845,000
3 ONS Families and Households data (November 2015). 2005 = 1,050,000, 2015 = 1,537,000

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