Last year, 3.4 million people aged 20-34 lived with their parents. This number has increased from 2.7 million in 2008, and from 2.4 million in 2003. ONS also revealed that 31.4% of men in this age group live with their parents, whereas only 19.9% of young women are in the same situation.

ONS said that this is because women tend to marry or cohabit at a younger age than men.

These statistics reflect the rising house prices and rents that have made it more difficult for young people to afford to live by themselves. Yet, some of the increase has been caused by university graduates returning home after study and by other young people staying longer in further education or training.

Such changes have marked an end to the traditional trend where young adults moved out of the family home once they obtained employment and before they settled down to start a family.