Just 40 years ago teenagers grew up much quicker - and in the Seventies were habitually¹ hitched² by 23, had their first child at 26 and got the keys to their own pad by 27.

 

But a study has found today's college and university leavers will be unlikely to have their own property until they reach 36.

 

And the average age of having a child is 30, while the sound of wedding bells will not be heard until they are 31.

 

While 21 is traditionally seen as a coming of age, the survey for insurance firm Beagle Street found the average 20-something does not feel like a grown-up until 29.

 

Its study found signs of delayed adulthood³ include living at home and relying on parents to do the household chores, not having a nine-to-five job, playing computer games and watching kids movies like Inside Out and Frozen.

 

A fear of responsibility was also a reason for wanting to stay young, along with not learning to drive or setting up a bank account.

 

But true signs of becoming a fully⁴ fledged adult were buying a property, doing DIY, paying into a pension scheme and looking forward to a night in.

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