I'm 31 and started at 15 and with the help of the AAFC got some hours up. Got my PC 2015, bought a plane 2016 thinking I had bought a low end machine that would do for now... Wrong I had the most fun aircraft going a TST. The hangarage costs are a factor but I agree mostly that people choose to spend their money on other things.
I'm in Johannesburg right now, though, and from my motel there was a flying school 5 minutes away that does the equivalent of the PC and two more within 30 minutes either way all within 30 mins of the CBD. It's how Aus should be.