For generations, living with parents has been woven into India’s social fabric, often seen as a reflection of strong family bonds rather than financial necessity. But that equation may be changing.As home prices and rents outpace incomes and people live longer, staying under one roof is increasingly becoming an economic compulsion for many young Indians.The World Economic Forum’s ‘The Longevity Dividend: The Business Case for Linking Health and Wealth’ report highlights how unaffordable housing is becoming a lifelong financial challenge. The report argues that housing costs affect not only the ability of young people to buy or rent a home, but also their capacity to build wealth, maintain financial security and prepare for longer lives.India stands out among the countries analysed. The report found that monthly mortgage payments in India amount to 295 per cent of an individual’s average monthly earnings, while rental payments amount to 139 per cent. This places India among the countries where housing is classified as particularly unaffordable, well beyond the optimal criteria of 33 per cent of monthly income.As per the report, expensive housing can limit wealth accumulation, reduce quality of life and increase financial stress. For younger Indians, this could make moving out of the family home increasingly difficult, particularly in major cities where housing costs are high relative to salaries. As a result, remaining with parents for longer can become a practical financial decision.At the same time, younger family members may increasingly become responsible for supporting ageing parents and other relatives, placing pressure on younger adults who are simultaneously trying to build careers, accumulate savings and plan for their own retirement.The report argues that the answer cannot simply be to expect families to absorb these pressures privately. It calls for greater intergenerational collaboration and innovative housing models.
