WITHIN Europe, broadly, northerners and westerners are more likely to leave home when young than southerners and easterners. It may be that university habits explain this, with Britons moving out to attend college at a relatively early age, for example. Strongly religious and family-oriented societies seem to have a higher than average age for children leaving the parental nest. And the housing market probably plays a role too: in countries, such as Germany, where a relatively large portion of the housing stock is rented, it may be easier for the young to find an affordable home away from their parents.

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