Statistics - One in five people in Germany live alone
Every fifth person lives alone in Germany, according to statistics here - this is significantly more people than in most other countries in the European Union. The Statistical Federal Office reported that the proportion of single-person households in Germany for the previous year was 20.3%. The EU average was 16.1%. Only in the five northern or northeastern European countries of Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia did the figures appear to be higher.
According to Eurostat, the European Statistics Office, the proportion of single-person households in these five countries ranged from 25.8% (Finland) to 21.5% (Estonia). The fewest single-person households were recorded in Slovakia with 3.8%, Cyprus with 8.0%, and Ireland with 8.3%.
The numbers have been increasing in some places significantly. Bulgaria recorded an increase of 9.3 percentage points between 2013 and 2023, to 17.8% of the population living alone, the highest EU-wide increase. The Slovakia statistics showed a decrease of 4.3 percentage points to 8.1%.
Older people are more likely to live alone: This was the case for at least 65-year-olds in the previous year almost twice as often as the average population. In the EU, this affected 31.6% of people aged 65 or over, while in Germany it was 34.6%, as reported by the Federal Office.
The proportions vary significantly: In Lithuania, over half of all people aged 65 or over lived alone, with 51.0% being the highest proportion. The lowest was in Slovakia, where only 11.6% of people aged 65 or over lived alone.
Women lived more frequently alone in almost all EU countries due to their longer life expectancy. Their proportion was 54.7% on average.
Single-person households are people who live in one-person households. People in communal living arrangements or institutions such as, for example, old-age or care homes, are not counted.
Loneliness is increasing
Living alone does not necessarily mean being lonely at the same time - nevertheless, there is often a connection. Feeling lonely is increasing in Germany, according to studies. The Corona pandemic, which particularly affected young people, is also a factor. According to the Federal Government's Loneliness Barometer, in addition to single parents and migrants, older people are particularly affected.
The Social Welfare Association of Germany referred to the demographic development with an aging population as one reason for the high number of single-person households. Education and career orientation also lead to longer phases of living alone. "We observe with concern that more and more people are affected by loneliness," explained the Chairwoman of the Association, Michaela Engelmeier.
The risk is particularly high for people over 75 years old. "Effective measures against loneliness require additional investments in personnel and structures of public meeting places," demanded Engelmeier. In addition, the compatibility of family, care, and work needs to be improved, so that family members can care for their loved ones at all.
- Despite having lower figures, Germany still ranks high in terms of single-person households, positioning itself among countries like Estonia and Finland in the EU.
- Bulgaria showed a significant increase in single-person households over the years, with 17.8% of its population living alone, surpassing even countries like Estonia or Ireland.
- Statistics from Destatis, the German Federal Statistical Office, revealed that older people in Germany were more likely to live alone, affecting 34.6% of individuals aged 65 or above.
- In contrast, Slovakia and Cyprus were among the EU countries with the lowest percentage of single-person households, with 8.1% and 8.0%, respectively.
- According to Eurostat, Denmark had a high proportion of single-person households, similar to its neighboring countries Sweden and Estonia, with figures ranging between 23.0% and 21.5%.
- Wiesbaden, Germany, is home to the headquarters of Destatis, which provides comprehensive statistics on various aspects of society, including demographics.
- In an effort to combat loneliness, the Social Welfare Association of Germany advocated for additional investments in resources and facilities that encourage social interaction, particularly focusing on older individuals and family care needs.
