The number of one-person households in Germany has been increasing in the last decade, while the opposite was true for three-person homes. In 2022, 16,707 German households had one occupant.
Aging population
These trends may be rooted in various reasons, such as population developments, aging, urbanization, individual lifestyles, flexible living arrangements. When looking at the growing number of one-person households, depending on the age group, this increase may be due to being single, for example, as well as an older person living alone. The largest share of the German population was aged 40 to 59 years, followed by those aged 65 and older. In terms of housing situations, most were renting and more than half of the population lived in an apartment.
Decreasing household member numbers
It is not just in Germany that households are decreasing in size. A similar trend has been seen in the United States. Household size is often very dependent on the financial status of individuals. Those with more money will often opt to live alone, whilst those on a lower income may have no choice but to have roommates or to continue living with their family.
Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size
(in 1,000)
Characteristic
One person
Two persons
Three persons
Four persons
Five persons and more
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* The source adds that figures are only partly comparable due to the following changes in methodology:
2005: Change from fixed reference week to flexible reference week survey.
2011: Projection for years starting from 2011 according to population estimations based on Zensus 2011. Projections for years prior to 2011 according to population estimations based on population census of 1987.
2016: Change in usage of reserve sample according to population estimations based on Zensus 2011. Reserve sample for years prior to 2016 according to population estimations based on census of 1987.
2021: first-time results.
Figures refer to population in private households at main or secondary residence.
The figures come from the results of the microcensus
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Statistisches Bundesamt. (March 31, 2023). Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size (in 1,000) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. "Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size (in 1,000)." Chart. March 31, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. (2023). Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size (in 1,000). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt. "Number of Households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by Size (in 1,000)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Mar 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/
Statistisches Bundesamt, Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size (in 1,000) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of households in Germany from 2000 to 2022, by size (in 1,000) [Graph], Statistisches Bundesamt, March 31, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/464187/households-by-size-germany/