PORTLAND, USA, Apr 24 (IPS) – In much of the past, few people lived alone. At the start of the 20th century, one-person households were relatively rare and are estimated to have accounted for less than 10% of all households worldwide.
By the middle of the 20th century, the number of one-person households in the world began to increase markedly. In addition, over the past several decades, one-person households have become more commonplace in many countries. Moreover, in some high-income, more developed countries, one-person households have become the dominant household type.
By 1985, the global proportion of one-person households is estimated to have reached about 23 percent. Several decades later, i.e., by 2018, the proportion of one-person households in the world is estimated to have increased to 28 percent. Regarding the future, the global proportion of one-person households by the middle of the 21st century is projected to reach 35% (Figure 1).
Currently, large differences exist among countries in the proportion of one-person households. In many low-income less developed countries, for example, the proportions of one-person households are relatively low, typically well below 10%. In many more developed countries, in contrast, one-person households represent a large proportion of households.
Among some countries, such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Russia, the proportion of one-person households around 2020 exceeded 40%. Also, the proportions of one-person households in the world’s two most populous countries were 25% for China and 16% for India (Figure 2).
The proportions of single-person households in many countries increased markedly over the recent past. In the United States, for example, the proportion of one-person households tripled during the second half of the 20th century with the proportion having increased every decade from 1940 to 2020. The proportion of one-person households in the United States in 2020 reached approximately 28% (Figure 3).
More recently during the 21st century, one-person households increased significantly in a number of countries worldwide. For example, the proportions in one-person households increased by 50 percent in Japan and Denmark, nearly doubled in Russia and Norway, and tripled in China (Figure 4).
A number of major economic, social, cultural and demographic factors contributed to the increases in one-person households. In turn, those increases have led to a number of important consequences for individuals and societies.
Some of the major causes of single-person households include urbanization, a growing economy with rising incomes, financial independence, advanced education levels, high employment rates, and very importantly, improvements in the status of women. Later marriage, delayed childbearing, increased divorce and changing attitudes regarding the family and childbearing are also among the major factors that contributed to the rise of single-person households (Table 1).
In addition, the demographic ageing of populations has been a potent factor contributing to the rise of one-person households. As age structures of populations become older coupled with the incidence of widowhood, the proportions of one-person households in countries have risen markedly among the elderly aged 65 years or older.
In most instances, the elderly have substantially higher proportions living in one-person households than other broad age groups. For example, the proportion of the elderly residing alone is often several times greater than the proportion for individuals below 30 years of age.
Furthermore, in about two dozen countries, which are located primarily in Europe, more than one-third of the elderly are living in one-person households. Also, in some of those countries, such as Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania and Sweden, the proportion of the elderly living alone exceeds 40%.
Among the reported consequences of the rise in single-person households are greater independence, personal freedom, economic independence and self-fulfillment as well as having no children to raise. Some men and women, especially those during their middle ages, may thrive in one-person households.
However, living alone can contribute to stress, loneliness and physical and mental health issues, especially for elderly persons. Moreover, one-person households may face financial strain and increased debt due to having a single income provider.
In addition, men and women living in one-person households may experience reduced social support, feel socially isolated and are at increased risk of cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Those individuals, especially in the oldest age groups, are also at increased risk of having accidents and encountering safety hazards.
Admittedly, not every person who lives alone will experience physical, mental and social problems and face possible cognitive decline issues. It is also the case that living alone is not the same as feeling lonely.
According to surveys, most people living in single-person households indicate being satisfied with their situation. They report that they are doing reasonably well living alone, especially those who have maintained social connections and relations with friends and family.
However, the potential for difficulties to arise in single-person households certainly exists. And that potential is typically higher among the elderly, especially for the oldest age groups. The various risks and problems that may arise in single-person households need to be acknowledged and seriously evaluated by those who reside in such households.
The increases in single-person households also pose challenges for societies, especially more developed countries where the levels are currently the highest. Among those challenges are how to address social isolation, loneliness and potential physical and mental health consequences, especially among the oldest groups.
In addition to raising public awareness regarding the negative impact of loneliness, social connections and community engagement need to be promoted and outreach programs offered to those men and women who are experiencing social isolation.
It is important to recognize that in many countries residing in a single-person household is an individual’s personal choice. It is a lifestyle preference and those individuals are likely to be reasonably content living on their own.
However, for many, particularly those in the oldest age groups, living alone is frequently not a choice but rather a consequence of circumstances that are largely beyond their control.
Individuals who not by choice find themselves living alone may encounter loneliness and feel socially isolated. Those individuals tend to be at increased risk of experiencing physical and mental difficulties, including cognitive decline.
The relatively rapid growth in the numbers and proportions of one-person households across the globe has made it abundantly clear that governments worldwide are facing formidable challenges in providing the necessary support to individuals living alone, especially older adults.
Among the major challenges for governments are the provision of social support, safety measures and healthcare access for those in one-person households. Governments promoting social connections and community engagement as well as the provision of needed healthcare services can be meaningful contributions to reducing the risks of the potential physical and mental health difficulties for individuals living in one-person households.
Joseph Chamie is a consulting demographer, a former director of the United Nations Population Division and author of numerous publications on population issues, including his recent book, “Population Levels, Trends, and Differentials”
© Inter Press Service (2025) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service
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