Cost-of-living crisis ‘hitting Gen Z’s love lives’

With high house prices and soaring rents forcing many people to live with friends or family, privacy is becoming an expensive luxury.

According to Lovehoney, more than half (51%) of 18 to 24-year-olds currently live either with housemates or their parents.

But 40% believe their living situation is directly affecting their sex lives.

In fact, figures showed that young adults who live with family have sex about 35 times a year on average.

That’s almost half the national average of 68.

Meanwhile, more than three-quarters admitted they wouldn’t bring a one-night stand home because there’s too many people around.

Even holding hands ‘feels awkward’

Mahima Chaudrary, 25, lives with her mum, brother and partner.

And because of her living situation, she feels she and her boyfriend “hardly get proper quality time together”.

“We can’t just cook dinner, watch a film, or be silly and dance around in our underwear - all the things that make a relationship feel fun and intimate - because there’s always someone else around,” Mahima said.

“At home, even holding hands or cuddling feels awkward in front of my family.”

Mahima added that it’s only when they go on holiday that they feel they can “properly connect as a couple”.

Housing costs a big worry for young people

This lack of privacy might partly explain why so many young people feel stuck, despite working hard, studying hard and doing all the “right” things.

A recent study by Policy Exchange found that nearly two-thirds of 18 to 30-year-olds think the cost of buying or renting a house is the biggest barrier to progress.

Of the young people polled, 46% live in rented accommodation and 25% live in the family home.

On the one hand, a headline about what’s been termed Gen Z’s “sex recession” might raise a wry smile.

But on the other, it’s a very real reminder that the cost-of-living crisis is having a very real impact on many young people's ability to grow, live independently and forge meaningful relationships.