The economy has been cruising along nicely for a few years now, pushing the unemployment rate to historic lows.

But Millennials are still struggling to pay their rent.

Forty-five percent of Oregonians under 38 years old have received financial help from a parent, family member or guardian since turning 21, the newly released Country Financial Security Index concludes. The percentage for U.S. Millennials overall is 53.

Twenty-eight percent of Oregon's Millennial generation, also known as Generation Y, receives a cash infusion every month.

Fifty-six percent takes money at least once a year.

These percentages also are slightly below the U.S. average in the Country Financial report, which is based on more than 1,000 survey responses and probability-based numbers-crunching. Country Financial says the margin for error is +/- 3 percentage points.

For the most part, this isn't treat-yourself money parents are doling out. It's for basic needs such as rent (80 percent), groceries and gas (53 percent) and health insurance (41 percent).

The key reason for this failure to fully launch: Costs are significantly higher than for previous generations of young adults. Business Insider points out that the median U.S. rent in 1960, even adjusted for inflation, was less than half what it is today.

The Millennial generation also began to come of age right when the Great Recession hit in 2007 and thus they have faced more debt -- and took longer to get careers started -- than usual.

"With rising rents and home prices in much of Oregon, it's getting more difficult for many Oregonians to afford housing on their own," Country Financial executive vice president Doyle Williams said in a statement.

He added that young American adults are "in general living with their parents longer."

Though many young-adult Oregonians are struggling with basics like rent, they are still trying to enjoy the moment. The report found that "9 in 10 [Millennial] Oregonians are spending money on things they want, but don't need, with 46 percent tapping into their savings to do so."

More than a quarter of Millennial Oregonians, the report says, are delaying retirement savings entirely.

-- Douglas Perry