Approximately a quarter of Bremen's residents reside individually
In recent years, the number of single-living individuals in Germany has been on a steady incline, with around 17 million people currently living alone, representing one in five of the population. This trend is particularly noticeable in urban areas like Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Berlin, where single-person households account for a higher proportion due to factors such as individualization, high professional mobility, demographic change, and financial independence.
Bremen, a city-state with a young population and an urban nature, has a higher proportion of single-person households compared to Lower Saxony, which is larger and more rural in parts. In Bremen, approximately 172,000 people live alone, which equates to every fourth person, while in Lower Saxony, around 1.6 million single-living individuals, or one in five, call the region home.
Across Germany, the share of single-person households has been increasing over recent decades, reaching about 40-42% nationally according to the latest demographic data. Urban areas like Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen generally surpass this average, while more rural federal states tend to have lower proportions.
When compared to other EU countries, Germany ranks relatively high in single-living households, alongside Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland, known for their high rates of single living. Southern and Eastern European countries usually show lower rates, often due to more prevalent multi-generational or family cohabitation patterns.
It's essential to note that living alone and feeling lonely are not necessarily connected, according to experts. However, approximately a quarter of single-living individuals in Germany do report feelings of loneliness. Single-living individuals are at risk of poverty due to being solely responsible in case of job disability or many elderly people affected by old-age poverty living alone.
Sociologists suggest that individualization is more accepted as a reason for people living alone, with women, who might have relied on a partner in the past, now able to afford to live alone due to financial independence. Demographic change, particularly the increase in elderly people living alone after the death of a partner, also plays a role in the rise of single-living households.
For the most accurate and current figures, consulting the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) or Eurostat household composition data would be recommended. Unfortunately, specific numbers for Bremen and Lower Saxony versus national and EU averages could not be precisely cited due to a lack of direct recent statistics from search results or official databases.
In Bremen, known for its urban nature and young population, a significant portion of the French lifestyle and home-and-garden enthusiasts opt for sustainable living, as the city has a higher proportion of single-person households compared to Lower Saxony. With the increasing trend of single living, the German housing market may evolve to cater more towards compact, eco-friendly homes and community gardens, reflecting the sustainable-living ideology.
