Single Person Household Trends

Question 1

In 2012, how many people in UK households lived alone?

Answer 1

8 million (approx.)

Question 2

In which age group has the increase in separation and divorce created more single person households?

Answer 2

Men under 65

Question 3

For the age group 65 and older, what percentage of people living alone were female?

Answer 3

70% (approx.)

Question 4

There is a decreasing trend of people living in a single person household which means it is one of the key trends in contemporary British society - true or false?

Answer 4

• both - false in that there has actually been a big increase but true in that it is one of the key trends

Question 5

How has the increase in divorce and separation resulted in more one person households especially among men under 65?

Answer 5

• following a divorce, children are more likely to live with their mother and the father is more likely to leave the family home

Question 6

What two trends have contributed to more people remaining single or experiencing some time living in a single person household?

Answer 6

• the decline in people marrying coupled with the trend towards people marrying later

Question 7

Why are the majority of people living alone over the age of 65 female?

Answer 7

• partly due to demographic factors such as ageing population and the fact that there are more women than men aged 65 or over due to women’s higher life expectancy

Question 8

Identify five trends contributing to the increase in single person households

Answer 8

• divorce and separation
• ageing population
• people marrying later/ not at all
• creative single hood
• LATs