Report Says Americans Under 40 Hold 7% of Wealth as 25.2 Million Under 35 Live With Parents
Updated
Updated · Better Markets · Jul 16
Report Says Americans Under 40 Hold 7% of Wealth as 25.2 Million Under 35 Live With Parents
1 articles · Updated · Better Markets · Jul 16
Summary
A new report cited by Better Markets says young Americans face structural barriers to economic security, with wealth-building increasingly out of reach despite broad employment.
25.2 million Americans under 35 live with their parents, the report says, even though about 70% of adults ages 25 to 34 are employed, pointing to a squeeze from slower wages, higher living costs and debt.
26% of Gen Z workers have already made a hardship or early retirement-account withdrawal, more than double the 12% share for Baby Boomers over roughly four decades.
Americans 55 and older now hold 74% of household wealth, versus 7% for those under 40, while one-third of Gen Z adults have put money into sports betting or prediction markets as a perceived shortcut to getting ahead.
Better Markets said it plans further work in coming months on the structural barriers and financial traps it argues are undermining younger Americans' long-term financial security.
Why are young Americans turning to risky betting instead of long-term investing with unprecedented market access?
Is the American Dream an illusion, or is the financial system the primary barrier to youth success?
Are mobile trading apps empowering young investors or exploiting their financial desperation for profit?
One in Three Young Adults Now Live at Home: The Economic Forces Delaying Independence in 2025
Overview
In 2025, a record 25.2 million young adults under 35 are living with their parents, driven mainly by rising housing costs and tough economic conditions. The median home price has soared to $430,000 and rents have climbed sharply, making it hard for young people to afford living on their own. Despite common beliefs, most of these young adults are working and many help pay household expenses. This trend is not just about personal choice—it reflects deeper economic challenges and is delaying major life milestones like homeownership and wealth building for an entire generation.