The expert spoke about the shift in the age of independent living in Russia

In Russia, there is a steady increase in the number of people living separately, despite the continuing practice of late relocation from parents among young people. Valeria Kasamara, director of the Association of Organizers of Student Olympiads "I am a professional", told Izvestia about this.

According to her, the key indicator of changes is the structure of households, which has significantly transformed over the past decades.

"The All-Union population census of 1989 fixed the average family size at 3.5 people in the USSR and 3.2 in the RSFSR. According to the results of the All–Russian Census of 2021, the average size of a private household in Russia is already 2.2—2.46 people," explained Kasamara.

She noted that the increase in the number of single-person households is even more significant.

"If in 2002 the share of such households was 22.3%, then in 2021 it reached 41.8%, or 27.6 million. In Moscow, this figure reaches 52%, in St. Petersburg - 49%," the expert added.

At the same time, according to the expert, the situation varies significantly depending on the region.

"Moscow and St. Petersburg have the highest rates of separate living, which is due to the developed infrastructure and mobility of the population. In small towns and rural areas, the proportion of cohabitation is higher due to the need for farming and closer intergenerational ties," Casamara explained.

She also noted that, despite the growing share of single households, young people cannot always afford early separation.

"The decision to live separately or with parents is determined primarily by housing conditions and economic opportunities. In modern Russia, the key factors remain the high cost of housing and the unavailability of mortgage loans," the expert emphasized.

In addition, Valeria Casamara drew attention to the change in attitudes towards marriage.

"The average age of marriage is increasing: in 2025 it was 33.1 years for women and 35.2 years for men. Marriage is no longer a mandatory and early norm, and forms of cohabitation are becoming more diverse," she said.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

A house without an exit: Russians postpone independent life because of expensive housing

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