Who Achieves Residential Independence? Living Arrangements of Never‐Married Young Adults in Urban China, 2003–2018

Bin Lian and Lei Lei

Population and Development Review, 2025, vol. 51, issue 3, 1205-1238

Abstract: As young adults today increasingly delay marriage and childbearing, more research is needed to understand the trends and determinants of young people's living arrangements before marriage, especially in societies undergoing rapid social changes. Using data from the China General Social Survey (2003–2018), this study investigates how the patterns and determinants of living arrangements among never‐married youth have changed over the past two decades. The results show a steady increase in independent living among never‐married urban youth, partially due to improved economic conditions, rural‐to‐urban migration, and changes in their father's employment sector. Young adults who are employed, have higher earnings, are migrants, and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to live independently. Over the past two decades, young adults’ employment and income have become less important determinants of their living arrangements, and the effect of their father's employment sector has weakened. The findings reveal that social disparities in Chinese youth's living arrangements have been altered by broader social and economic changes over time.

Date: 2025
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