the number of people living alone.. Approximately 17.0 million individuals, representing 20.6% of the population, now reside in single-person households. This marks a considerable increase from 2004, when the figure stood at 14.0 million, representing 17.1% of the population – an increase of 21.8% over two decades.
The prevalence of single-person households is particularly pronounced among older demographics. Over a third (34.0%) of individuals aged 65 and over live alone, while more than half (56.0%) of those aged 85 and older do. Notably, a high proportion of young adults (28.0%) between the ages of 25 and 34 also live alone. Women are slightly more likely to live alone than men, with 21.2% of women and 20.0% of men residing in single-person households.
The data also highlights a concerning vulnerability to poverty among those living alone. According to a recent survey on income and living conditions, 29.0% of single-person households are at risk of poverty, almost double the national average (15.5%). This figure represents an increase from 26.4% in 2023, when the overall poverty risk rate was 14.4%. The poverty threshold for a single individual in Germany in 2024 is equivalent to a net monthly income of €1,381 after taxes and social security contributions.
Beyond the risk of poverty, a significant portion of individuals living alone face broader social challenges. Approximately 35.1% of single-person households exhibit signs of poverty or social exclusion, a designation triggered by factors like falling below the poverty income threshold, experiencing significant material and social deprivation, or living in a household with very low labor force participation.
Loneliness also appears to be a prevalent issue. Nearly a quarter (25.8%) of those living alone report frequent feelings of loneliness, higher than the national average of 16.3%. Younger individuals under 30 are disproportionately affected, with 35.9% experiencing loneliness, while those aged 65 and older report feeling lonely less often (17.6%).
Germany’s prevalence of single-person households is notably higher than in many other European Union (EU) countries. While Germany accounts for 16.2% of the EU population living alone, countries like Lithuania (27.0%), Finland (25.8%), Denmark (24.1%), Estonia (22.3%) and Sweden (22.2%) have even higher proportions. Comparatively, Slovakia (3.5%), Ireland (8.1%) and Poland (8.8%) exhibit the lowest rates.
Despite representing only about a fifth of the population, single-person households represent the predominant household type in Germany, accounting for 41.6% of all households. This figure has steadily increased over the past two decades, rising from 36.5% in 2004 and is projected to reach over 45% by the year 2040.
