Where in the world do people live alone? In many countries, solo households – homes occupied by one person living alone, are increasingly commonplace. Notably, in a few countries, nearly every other household consists of a person living alone.
Key points:
- There are nations where just under half of all households have a person living alone.
- The nation where people are least likely to live alone is Afghanistan.
- In Norway, if you were to randomly knock on doors, nearly every second time, you will be greeted by someone living alone.
The Countries Where Solo Households Are Commonplace
Living Alone | 24th October 2022 by Bella DePaulo
Where in the world do people live alone? In many countries, solo households – homes occupied by one person living alone, are increasingly commonplace. Notably, in a few countries, nearly every other household consists of a person living alone.
Key points:
- There are nations where just under half of all households have a person living alone.
- The nation where people are least likely to live alone is Afghanistan.
- In Norway, if you were to randomly knock on doors, nearly every second time, you will be greeted by someone living alone.
In many nations, living alone is so commonplace it seems unremarkable. Historically, though, it is quite remarkable howrecenta phenomenon it is. Less than a century ago, very few people lived alone anywhere in the world (typically, under 10 per cent of all households, and often way less than that).
There are still some places where living alone is rare, but now there are nations where just under half of all households are one-person households. The growing significance of solo living is also evident in how it has eclipsed other kinds of living arrangements. In the U.S., for example, there are more households consisting of one person living alone than of married parents and their children; and the US is nowhere near the top of the pack in terms of the popularity ofsolo living.
What countries have the highest numbers of people living alone?
Global data on living alone are available at the websiteOur World in Dataand in the section on living alone. From the chart “Percentage of one-person households, 1960 to 2018,” I clicked the ‘table’ tab to find the specific percentages for each nation for the most recent data available (2018 or sometimes earlier).
The nations with the highest percentage of one-person households, where over 40% of households are solo living with one person living alone, are:
- 45.8% Norway
- 44.1% Denmark
- 43.0% Finland
- 42.5% Sweden
- 41.7% Germany
- 40.3% Estonia
That means that if you are in Norway today and were to knock on doors randomly, almost every other time, you will be greeted by a person who is living alone. In all of these countries, solo households and living alone are commonplace.
They are all Nordic nations, except for Estonia (a Baltic nation) and Germany. Iceland, another Nordic country, also has a high percentage of one-person solo households: 31.0%.
Other nations where more than 30% of households are one-person solo households (starting with the highest percentages) are the Netherlands, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria, France, Latvia, Belgium, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part).
The countries with the lowest number of solo households
The country where people are least likely to live alone is Afghanistan, where just 0.2% of all households are one-person households. In Pakistan, just 1.1% of households are one-person households, and in Iraq, just 1.2% (but the most recent data is not very recent).
Other countries where fewer than 5% of all households are one-person households (starting with the smallest percentages) are Bangladesh, Yemen, Tajikistan, Niger, Mali, Cambodia, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, South Sudan, Jordan, Guinea, Nicaragua, Comoros, and the Philippines.
Solo living and solo households in other countries
In the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia, between about one in four and one in three households are solo, one-person households. Rates are similar in South Africa and South Korea. (Again, the data are from 2018 or sometimes earlier.)
- 29.9% UK
- 28.0% US
- 27.6% Canada
- 26.8% Africa
- 25.0% Australia
- 23.9% South Korea
Living alone is far less common in other countries, such as:
- 10.0% Mexico
- 8.6% China
- 7.7% India
The psychology and economics of living alone: What matters?
I’ve talked before about some of the psychological, cultural, and economic factors that help us understand why the rates of living alone are so varied in different nations. The determining factors include if it isfinancially possible to live alone– in wealthier nations, more people can afford to do so, and also ifliving alone is desirable. There are countries where family ties are more highly valued and where it is more common for people to live with family, even if they can afford to live alone.
One trend is evident for most nations: the percentage of people living alone in solo households is growing. Many things may need to change to accommodate this rising demographic, from practical matters to more psychological factors, such as our understanding of the vulnerabilities and strengths of people living alone in solo households, some of which are discussedhere.
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Bella DePaulo
Bella DePaulo (PhD, Harvard) has been described as “America’s foremost thinker and writer on the single experience.” Her TEDx talk, “What no one ever told you about people who are single,” has been viewed more than a million times. With her writing appearing in high-profile publications, Bella is increasingly globally recognised not only for her expertise and knowledge of the single experience but also because of the links she makes between single life, living alone and spending time in solitude. We are delighted Bella is a Solo Living contributor.
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As an expert in the field of solo living and household demographics, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article "Where in the world do people live alone?" by Bella DePaulo. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of global living arrangements, demographic trends, and the cultural, psychological, and economic factors influencing the prevalence of solo households.
1. Solo Living Trends: The article highlights the increasing prevalence of solo households worldwide. It notes that living alone has become a common phenomenon in many countries, which is a significant shift from less than a century ago when very few people lived alone globally.
2. Global Data on Solo Living: The author references the website "Our World in Data" for global data on living alone. This indicates a reliance on credible sources to gather information. The data, specifically from the chart "Percentage of one-person households, 1960 to 2018," provides a historical perspective on the evolution of solo living.
3. Countries with High Percentage of Solo Households: The article lists several Nordic nations, including Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Germany, along with Estonia, as countries where over 40% of households consist of one person living alone. This statistical breakdown illustrates the significant prevalence of solo living in these regions.
4. Countries with Low Percentage of Solo Households: Conversely, Afghanistan is highlighted as the country where people are least likely to live alone, with only 0.2% of households being one-person households. Other countries with low percentages include Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Yemen, Tajikistan, and more.
5. Solo Living in Specific Countries: The article provides specific percentages of solo households in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Mexico, China, and India. This comparative analysis gives readers a sense of the diversity in solo living patterns across different nations.
6. Factors Influencing Solo Living: The author touches upon psychological, cultural, and economic factors influencing solo living. Financial feasibility is noted as a crucial factor, with wealthier nations having higher rates of solo living. Cultural values regarding family ties also play a role, affecting whether people choose to live alone even if financially viable.
7. Global Growth in Solo Living: The article suggests a global trend where the percentage of people living alone in solo households is on the rise. This growth necessitates changes in various aspects, including practical considerations and a better understanding of the strengths and vulnerabilities of individuals living alone.
In conclusion, the insights provided in the article, combined with my expertise in the field, offer a comprehensive understanding of the global landscape of solo living and the factors influencing this societal shift.
