Cost of Living Crisis Fuels Longer Marriages, Delays Young Adults Leaving Home

Financial pressures are significantly impacting major life decisions, with divorce lawyers in England and Wales reporting that unhappy couples are delaying separation due to the cost of living crisis. This trend has contributed to the average length of a marriage ending in divorce reaching a record 13 years in 2025, the longest since records began in 1963.

Similarly, in Australia, young adults are remaining in the family home for longer periods. This phenomenon is attributed to rising housing costs, with renters being particularly affected, and a general increase in financial stress. These economic challenges are reshaping traditional life milestones, from marital commitments to independent living.