New data from Statistics Canada reveals that Canadian millennials are significantly more likely to live with their parents than baby boomers were at the same age. According to the study based on the 2021 census, 16.3 percent of millennials aged 25 to 39 were living with their parents, compared to just 8.2 percent of baby boomers in 1991. This marks a doubling of the rate over three decades.
Regional disparities
The trend is particularly pronounced in Canada's most expensive housing markets. In Toronto, 26.1 percent of millennials lived with their parents, while in Vancouver the figure was 19.3 percent. These cities have seen some of the highest housing costs in the country, contributing to the phenomenon. However, the study suggests that affordability challenges are not the sole driver.
Homeownership rates decline
The report also highlights a decline in homeownership among young adults. In 2021, only 49.9 percent of millennials owned a home, down from 55.9 percent for baby boomers in 1991 and 56.2 percent for Generation X in 2006. Millennial homeowners were also less likely to live in detached homes, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, where the share dropped to 19.4 percent and 12.2 percent respectively, from 32.7 percent and 36.3 percent in 1991.
The erosion of housing affordability became a major political issue after the COVID-19 pandemic, when home prices peaked in 2022 at nearly double their 2015 levels. Although prices have since cooled and other issues like the U.S. trade war have gained prominence, homeownership remains out of reach for many young Canadians.
Broader societal factors
The study notes that generational differences in living arrangements are also linked to changes in lifestyle patterns. Delayed marriage and parenthood, as well as longer periods of post-secondary education, have contributed to more young adults living with parents. Additionally, Canada's growing racial diversity plays a role. Among Canada-born millennials, nearly 40 percent of racialized individuals lived with their parents, compared to just 14 percent of non-racialized, non-Indigenous people.
Interestingly, homeownership rates remained stable across generations for those who were married or in common-law relationships, suggesting that marital status is a key factor in housing decisions. Statistics Canada is currently conducting the 2026 census, which may provide further insights into these trends.
