CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF LATE LEAVING HOME DECISIONS OF YOUNG ADULTS IN SOUTHERN EUROPE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

This systematic review examines the causes and consequences of delay in leaving home decisions of young-adults in Southern Europe, with a particular focus on Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Methodologically rigorous, the review follows PRISMA-2020 guidelines, drawing on 27 studies after a comprehensive literature search on the Web of Science database. Based on the articles reviewed, the key causes of this delay in emancipation were strong family ties, job insecurities, inadequate youth policies, unemployment, and insufficient government spending on youth support. The consequences of this delay are significant, and they include: low fertility rates, reduced youth activism, and delayed independence. These findings underscore the need for targeted policies that address the socio-economic and cultural barriers inhibiting youth emancipation in Southern Europe.