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With inflation, student debt, housing costs, and broader uncertainty weighing heavily, many Americans are putting off major life events, such as getting married, buying a home, or starting a family. Data show that 4 in 10 U.S. adults have delayed or expect to delay at least one of the six milestones studied by CivicScience due to financial reasons. Among Gen Z adults aged 18 to 29 – a life stage typically defined by transition and momentum – that number increases to two-thirds. These milestones, once shaped by personal goals and timing, are now increasingly dictated by economic pressures, with long-term ripple effects on how people form relationships, make plans, and contribute to broader economic activity.
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While not everyone is planning to get married, have kids, or pursue other major life changes, some life events stand out as being particularly vulnerable to economic challenges. Among consumers planning to delay, buying a home or apartment is by far the most likely to be postponed, reflecting ongoing concerns about rising housing costs and affordability. This is followed by delays in starting a new job or business and pursuing higher education. Roughly one in five say they’re putting off getting married or having children, aligning with previous CivicScience wedding data showing a decline in 2025 celebrations.
For Gen Z adults, buying a home still tops the list of delayed milestones, but at a lower rate than the Gen Pop. Instead, they report higher rates of delay across nearly every other category, most notably, they’re at least seven percentage points more likely to delay marriage or move out of their parents’/guardians’ home.
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Delaying major life events can have long-term economic implications, but CivicScience data show it’s already influencing how people spend in the short term. Those postponing one of the six major life events studied are redirecting their spending and attention to other areas of life: splurging on themselves, traveling for leisure, adopting pets, and taking advantage of remote work flexibility. Others are investing in crypto, switching banks, using Buy Now, Pay Later services, or reevaluating their health insurance—signs of shifting priorities in a time of uncertainty.
While financial constraints are a key contributor to delaying life events, personal confidence in managing finances also plays a significant role. CivicScience data show that those likely to delay at least one of the major life events studied are nearly three times more likely to say they feel ‘not at all’ financially literate, highlighting postponing milestones doesn’t come down to just affordability, it’s also about whether they feel equipped to navigate the decisions that come with it.
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As more Americans consider delaying major life milestones due to financial pressure, the ripple effects are already beginning to surface. What may start as a short-term decision – putting off marriage, homeownership, or higher education – has the potential to reshape how people spend, prioritize, and plan over time. Whether these delays eventually turn into permanent shifts remains to be seen, but the data reflect that consumers are adjusting their life paths, guided not just by what’s affordable, but by what feels financially possible and personally sustainable.
