Single Italians stay in the family nest much more than other Europeans but increasingly out of necessity rather than affection, according to a study of young people in ten nations out Monday.
Unmarried Italians topped the poll with 83% living with their parents compared to 63% in the second-ranked nation, Spain.
Young Swiss appeared to be more independent-minded, bottom of the ten countries with a 26% rating. The survey by online agency Parship.it concluded that "We're still a nation of Momma's boys" but an analysis of the reasons given for staying in the nest painted a different picture.
Lack of jobs or affordable accommodation was the No.1 reason, cited by 44% of males and 23% of females.
Of course, the convenience of having your clothes done, house cleaned and meals cooked was also admitted, by 21% of men and 33% of women.
A big impediment to going it alone was a "lack of practical independence and autonomy" (33% of women and 23% of men).
Only 7% of men and 5% of women said they nested because they loved their parents too much to break away.
