Fifty percent more twentysomethings live with their parents, half as many have a family of their own, twice as many are studying, fifty percent more hold post-school qualifications, and a greater percentage are participating in the workforce (with a significant gain by women and a decrease by men).

According to a study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001)

In 1976

• 21% of twentysomethings lived with their parents. In 2001 that figure rose to 30%.
• 41% of twentysomethings had their own family and children, compared to 20% in 2001 – more than a 50% decline.
• 12% of twentysomethings were studying and 31% held post-school qualifications compared to 23% studying and 45% holding post-school qualifications in 2001.
• 75% participated in the labour force compared to 81% in 2001, women’s participation is up from 57 per cent in 1976 to 75 per cent in 2001 and men’s participation has decreased slightly decrease from 92 per cent to 87 per cent.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2001