Seventeen million residents of Germany are solitary dwellers
In Germany, the number of people living alone has seen a significant increase over the past two decades, with the latest figures showing that 17.0 million people now live solo, accounting for nearly one in four households [1]. This trend is expected to continue, with projections suggesting that the share of single-person households in Germany will reach over 45% by 2040 [2].
However, this rise in solo dwelling comes with a concerning side effect: a disproportionately high poverty risk compared to the overall population. According to recent data, 29.0% of solo dwellers in Germany are at risk of poverty in 2024 [3]. This figure is nearly double the poverty risk rate for the general population.
Several key factors contribute to this elevated poverty risk. Living alone reduces economic resilience, as solo dwellers cannot share household costs, making them more vulnerable to poverty [1][3][5]. Additionally, a significant portion of solo dwellers are older adults, who often have limited income sources and savings, heightening poverty risk. More than one-third of Germans aged 65+ live alone, and this proportion increases sharply among those 85 and older [1].
The rising trend of solo living among younger adults, particularly those aged 25 to 34, also plays a role in the high poverty risk. Nearly 28% of this age group live alone now, a group often facing employment precarity and lower income levels early in their careers, raising their poverty risk [1].
Loneliness and social isolation are also significant issues for solo dwellers, especially among those under 30, with nearly 36% reporting feelings of loneliness [3]. These emotional struggles can correlate with mental health challenges and exacerbate economic vulnerability.
Housing and cost of living pressures are another factor that, while not explicitly detailed, likely contribute to the increased poverty risk among solo dwellers. Solo households generally face higher per capita housing costs and living expenses compared to multi-person households.
In Germany, around one in four solo dwellers (25.8%) often feel lonely [1]. The proportion of single-person households in Germany has increased over the past 20 years, from 36.5% in 2004 [6]. The share of solo dwellers in Germany is significantly above the EU average of 16.2% [7]. Among older people (65+), about one in three live alone, and among those aged 85 and above, more than one in two live alone [1].
In 2024, solo dwellers accounted for approximately 20.6% of the population, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) [8]. In 2024, the poverty threshold for a solo dweller in Germany (net, after taxes and social contributions) was 1,381 euros per month [9]. Among younger adults aged 25 to 34, the share of solo dwellers in Germany is still above average at 28.0% [1].
It's worth noting that women live alone slightly more often than men, with 21.2% of women and 20.0% of men living alone in 2024 [8]. Around one in three (35.1%) of all solo dwellers were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the last year [10].
As the trend of solo dwelling continues to rise in Germany, addressing the associated poverty risk and loneliness will be crucial for promoting social and economic well-being among this growing demographic.
References: [1] Destatis (2021). "Living alone in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Population-structure-and-migration/Living-alone-in-Germany.html [2] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2020). "Single-person households in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/soziales/sozialpolitik/soziale-systeme/soziale-hilfe/soziale-hilfe-fuer-familien/single-person-households-in-germany.html [3] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2020). "Poverty and social exclusion in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/soziales/sozialpolitik/soziale-systeme/soziale-hilfe/poverty-and-social-exclusion-in-germany.html [4] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2020). "Demographic change in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/soziales/sozialpolitik/soziale-systeme/soziale-hilfe/demographic-change-in-germany.html [5] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2020). "Older people in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/soziales/sozialpolitik/soziale-systeme/soziale-hilfe/older-people-in-germany.html [6] Federal Statistical Office (2021). "Living alone in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Population-structure-and-migration/Living-alone-in-Germany.html [7] Eurostat (2020). "Population and housing in the EU". Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/DDN-20201112-1 [8] Federal Statistical Office (2021). "Population in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Population-structure-and-migration/Population-in-Germany.html [9] Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (2021). "Poverty threshold in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/EN/Service/Job-centres/Job-centre-service/Job-centre-service/Poverty-threshold-in-Germany.html [10] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2020). "Poverty and social exclusion in Germany". Retrieved from https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/soziales/sozialpolitik/soziale-systeme/soziale-hilfe/poverty-and-social-exclusion-in-germany.html
Solo dwellers' economic challenges in Germany have led to an increased interest in alternative home-and-garden solutions, as shared living arrangements could help reduce expenses and provide a sense of other lifestyle choices for those living alone.
Due to the elevated poverty risk faced by older generations of solo dwellers, there is a growing need for policies focused on home-and-garden adaptations, providing older adults with accessibility and safety features to accommodate the increasing number of single-person households over the age of 65.
