An increasing number of adults cannot leave their family home due to lack of financial means and rising living costs, according to statistics by Seoul City.

Seoul City said the number of people in their 30s and 40s who live with their parents has almost doubled in the past 10 years.

According to city government data, around 480,000 Seoulites aged 30 to 49 lived with their parents in 2010, up from 250,000 in 2000. 

Of the parents, almost 30 percent said the reason is that their children have not been financially independent.

The demographic analysis is based on population and housing censuses taken during the 10 years since 2000, and a city survey of 4,600 people in 2011.

The municipal government explained that a late marriage age, higher education, and difficulty in getting a job are the main culprits for the delay in leaving home.

Family customs have also changed.

Many parents age 60 or over say they also do not want to live with their children when the kids can stand on their own; only 29 percent said they would, 20 percent less than in 2005.

Despite this, around 73 percent of parents are satisfied with living under one roof with their children.

Households consisting of one or two members are also more prevalent.

The number of unmarried or divorced people accounts for 24.4 percent of households in Seoul, which is more than for families of four, at 23.1 percent.

The city said the family types and customs have been changing because of a low birth rate, increasing divorce, and tightening economy.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)