Why we were much more likely to move house in 1970s

A MILLION fewer people moved house in the 2000s than in the 1970s, research has revealed.

Between 1971 and 1981 around 55 per cent of Britons changed address, but from 2001 to 2011 only 45 per cent did so. The UK population increased from 56 million to 63 million between 1981 and 2011.

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, who analysed census data, say about a third of the change is down to an ageing population because older people tend to be more settled.

Other factors include housing market changes, longer commutes thanks to improved transport, and new technology that lets people work from anywhere. However, the biggest reduction was in moves of less than six miles.

Study leader Dr Ian Shuttleworth said housing shortages, price rises and ‘a delay in people moving from their parents’ house’ were often to blame.

‘It is not just the elderly who are not moving,’ he added. ‘It is not only owner-occupiers but also those in social-rented housing. Falls are not just concentrated amongst the unemployed but have also been experienced by those in work.’