In many parts of Europe, adulthood has traditionally been marked by getting your own set of keys and leaving your childhood bedroom behind. But that milestone is happening later and later for today’s young adults.

A mix of economic uncertainty, changes in the job market, and emotional factors is leading more people to stay longer in their parents’ homes—or even move back in—reshaping what it means to be independent in the 21st century. Psychologists say that leaving home isn’t just about logistics; it’s a crucial emotional and developmental step.