Four driving factors behind multigenerational living

Multigenerational households are nothing new. The concept of living with parents and extended family is one that’s becoming increasingly popular in Calgary and around Canada as a whole. According to 2016 Census Canada data, multigenerational households – households that include at least three generations of the same family – are the fastest growing living arrangement in the country. Approximately 2.2 million people - 6.3% of the Canadian population living in private households – live in a multigenerational home. You’re probably wondering what’s behind this shift from living alone in adulthood to living with parents, and sometimes grandparents? Well, there’s a number of factors that have led Canadians to embrace the inter-generational way of living and we’ve explored a few of them.

1. Culture

Canada is a melting pot – a home to people from different backgrounds and cultures – and this is one of the major reasons for the rise of multigenerational homes. According to Census Canada, the increase in multigenerational living arrangements can be largely attributed to the country’s evolving ethnocultural composition. Living with family is more common among Aboriginals and Canada’s visible minority groups including people of South Asian and Chinese descent. These groups have cultures that value maintaining strong family bonds through inter-generational living. So, it’s common to see situations where grandparents, parents and adult children live together under one roof.

2. Rising cost of living

In some regions of the country, living alone is not cheap. Big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary have a high cost of living and some of the highest occurrences of multigenerational households. With the average cost of accommodation being over $2,000/month in Vancouver and Toronto and $1,400/month in Calgary, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Canadians to live alone. So, adults are opting to live with family instead. Census Canada reported that in 2017, approximately 1.9 million Canadians – 9% of the adult population – opted to live with their parents rather than living alone. More adults are embracing the concept of intergenerational living in efforts to live more affordably and better their financial situations.

3. Family needs

As families grow, their needs evolve. Some young families have childcare needs, while older generations may need to be looked after. More Canadian families live in multi-generational households because it allows them to cater to their evolving needs for little to no cost. Young adults are able to provide care for ageing relatives – helping them look after their health and provide social inclusion. In turn, elder relatives in multigenerational homes often pitch in with childcare, finances and even help with simple errands around the home. Living in a multigenerational household helps families deal with the high costs of child and elderly care.

4. Changing lifestyles and social norms

Evolving norms and lifestyle choices are another important factor driving the surge in multigenerational households. Nowadays, more young Canadians are choosing to delay marriage and starting a family in order to focus on their careers instead. According to Census Canada, 70% of adults who live with their parents reported they were single – that is, not currently married and have never been married. Also, out of young adults living in multigenerational homes, 74% of them were gainfully employed.

Living with extended family is also on the rise because of how prevalent it is today. More adults choosing to stay with their parents and grandparents has lessened the social stigma previously associated with this living arrangement. This gives people the freedom to choose the best living situation that suits their needs.

Multigenerational living is a trend that’s here to stay, and like other living arrangements, it’s a clear depiction of how families adapt to ever-changing environments, social circumstances, and needs.