Home-Leaving Patterns Among Middle Eastern-Origin Youth in Sweden: The Influence of Origin, Generation, and Neighbourhood

This study examines home-leaving patterns among Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants and youth with ME backgrounds in Sweden using population register data for individuals aged 17 to 35 between 1998 and 2022. Applying competing risks models, we analyse transitions from the parental home to independent living while accounting for marriage as an alternative pathway. The results show that youth of ME origin are less likely than native Swedes to leave the parental home for independent living and more likely to transition directly into marriage. These differences are particularly pronounced among the second generation and among women. Individual and parental socio-economic characteristics explain only a small share of the observed gaps between immigrants and natives, while neighbourhood unemployment is strongly associated with lower transition rates to independent living. Overall, the findings highlight persistent differences in the timing and pathways of leaving the parental home between immigrant-origin youth and the native population.