People born in the 1980s are only half as wealthy as those born just a decade earlier, at the same stage of their lives.

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that people in their early 30s had average net household wealth of £27,000 from equity in their homes, the value of their pensions and other financial investments. Those born in the early 70s had accumulated household wealth of £53,000 by the same stage.

As reported by The Guardian , the study found children of the 1980s were the first postwar generation not to enjoy higher incomes than those born in the previous decade.

A fall in home ownership goes a long way to explaining the gap. By their early 30s, 55% of those born in the 1950s, 60s and 70s owned their own home, yet only only 40% of those born in the early 80s do. Which is bad news for them, as low-interest rates mean a homeowner in their late 20s spends only around 15% of their household income on housing, while those renting spend 30%.

So what can be done to get the 80s kids out of a financial hole and keeping pace with their 70s brothers and sisters? And will things be even harder for 90s kids?

Theresa May highlighted the problems young people face in buying their own homes in her list of injustice to tackle when she became prime minister. Let's hope that happens soon and the financial tide starts to turn for our young people.

Here at Punchline, we want to see young adults able to support themselves and live comfortably, without having to rely on parents for handouts or a bed until their 30s.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk