Lonely Britain: People living alone are less happy, more anxious, and less ...

People living alone are less happy, more anxious and less financially stable than those in two-adult homes, new figures have revealed.  

Both financially and mentally, one-person households in the UK struggle when compared to childless couples living together, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics.  

According to figures published yesterday, when compared to two-adult households, those living by themselves find it harder to accumulate wealth, are less likely to own their own home, spend a higher proportion of their income on housing costs, and report feeling more anxious and less satisfied with their lives. 

The number of people in the UK living alone has also been rising, with the figure increasing by 16% to 7.7million people between 1997 and 2017.

In the 25 to 34 age bracket, 40% of single adults own their own home, compared to 55% of childless couples. The gap increases with age

In the 25 to 34 age bracket, 40% of single adults own their own home, compared to 55% of childless couples. The gap increases with age

Levels of personal wellbeing for adults living alone were also reportedly lower than those of childless couples

Levels of personal wellbeing for adults living alone were also reportedly lower than those of childless couples

The total UK population only increased by 13% in the same period. 

It is now estimated that, by 2039, the number of one-person households will rise to 10.7million.

The increase in one-person households is largely concentrated in older age groups. While the number of people aged 25 to 44 living alone has fallen by 16% over the 20-year period, the number of 45 to 64-year-olds in one-person households has shot up by 53%. 

According to the Office for National Statistics: 'People living on their own spend an average of 92% of their disposable income, compared with two-adult households who spend only 83% of theirs, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) analysis of the expenditure of 25- to 64-year-olds. 

'People living alone are more likely to be renting, and feel less financially secure than couples without children, with fewer reporting they have money left over at the end of the week or month.

'And the costs are not just financial: when it comes to well-being, those living on their own report lower levels of happiness and higher levels of anxiety than those living together with a partner and no children.'

Both financially and mentally, one-person households struggle when compared to childless couples living together, according to the Office for National Statistics (stock image)

Both financially and mentally, one-person households struggle when compared to childless couples living together, according to the Office for National Statistics (stock image)

One-person households were also found to spend a greater proportion of their income on food and furnishings than two-adult homes - but couples spent more on transport, recreation, restaurants and hotels and clothing

One-person households were also found to spend a greater proportion of their income on food and furnishings than two-adult homes - but couples spent more on transport, recreation, restaurants and hotels and clothing

Those surveyed were asked four questions - regarding their life satisfaction, how worthwhile they felt the activities they carried out were, how happy they felt, and how anxious they were.   

Single adults reported an average life satisfaction of 6.9 out of 10, compared to 7.9 from couples without children.

In response to the question of how worthwhile they found their lives, those living alone gave an average rating of 7.2 compared to 8.0 among two-adult homes.

One-person households also reported lower levels of happiness than those living with a partner - 6.8 and 7.7 respectively.

Single adults are also more anxious, reporting an average anxiety level of 3.4 compared to the 2.9 rating of two-adult homes.

While the number of people aged 25 to 44 living alone has fallen by 16%, the number of 45 to 64-year-olds in one-person households has shot up by 53% between 1997 and 2017 (stock)

While the number of people aged 25 to 44 living alone has fallen by 16%, the number of 45 to 64-year-olds in one-person households has shot up by 53% between 1997 and 2017 (stock)

The Office for National Statistics also found that single adult homes spent a greater proportion of their income on rent, mortgages, and other housing costs, including bills

The Office for National Statistics also found that single adult homes spent a greater proportion of their income on rent, mortgages, and other housing costs, including bills

In terms

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