Muscab calculated that a haircut in London would cost a total of 41 pounds, comprising 35 pounds for the cut and 6 pounds for travel. In contrast, the entire trip to Morocco, including the flight, transportation, and haircut, amounted to just 39 pounds.

"I even got a free, cheaper, and more interesting holiday out of it", he said.

Muscab Salad in a barbershop in Morocco. *Supplied photo*.

A video of Muscab Salad's haircut trip sparked debate on social media, garnering millions of views and 200,000 comments. Some users mentioned traveling to Barcelona, Spain, for a 10-pound haircut, while others considered the trip a waste of time.

"It's not just about the haircut; it's also a holiday, and they even trim your beard, so it's worth a try", Salad stated.

Muscab Salad's story highlights the reality that young Londoners are caught in a spiral of high costs, leaving them with insufficient funds for basic needs. Many are choosing to work remotely from their hometowns or relocate to cities like Manchester or Birmingham, where costs are only 60% of London's, according to Numbeo data.

Economic experts suggest Muscab Salad is not alone, as thousands of Gen Z individuals are flying to Istanbul, Tunisia, and Morocco for services like haircuts, manicures, or dental check-ups, based on discussions on forums such as Reddit.

According to Trust for London, in 2025, young people under 24 will face an additional monthly expenditure of 75 USD for rent and 24 USD for travel compared to 2020, due to inflation. Concurrently, G15, London's largest housing group, warns that a 7,3% increase in rental prices in 2025 will push young people to the suburbs, with 50% of those under 24 planning to leave London.

"When even a haircut requires financial calculation like an investment, the world's financial capital risks losing its young generation, creating a brain drain and impacting economic growth", said Paul Seddon, a research expert at Resolution Foundation.

Ngoc Ngan (According to UK News)