Social integration
Transition into adulthood

Becoming an adult: average age 2006 - By generation and country

Definitions/comments: Years correspond to people's ages when the four following transitions took place: paid job: first paid employment or paid apprenticeship of 20 hours or more per week (for at least 3 months); leaving parents’ home (for 2 months or more); living with a partner (3 months or more); birth of first child.

Question wording: ‘Now some questions about when you first did different things. Have you ever been in paid employment or a paid apprenticeship of 20 hours or more per week for at least 3 months? [if yes:] In what year did you first start working in a job like this?’; ‘In what year, if ever, did you first leave your parent(s) for 2 months or more to start’; ‘Have you ever lived with a spouse or partner for three months or more? [if yes:] In what year did you first live with a spouse or partner for three months or more?’; ‘Have you ever given birth to/fathered a child? [if yes:] In what year was your (first) child born?’.

Sample size: ESS 2006: 1804–2916; weighted data.

Source: ESS 2006.

Data for the indicator or in excel.

Description and explanation in the corresponding chapter of the Social Report 2008.