According to preliminary findings from the 2024 Mikrozensus, approximately 17.0 million people in Germany live alone, representing 20.6% of the population. This marks a significant increase over the past two decades; in 2004, this figure stood at 14.0 million, or 17.1% of the population.
The rise in single-person households is particularly pronounced among older demographics. Over a third (34%) of individuals aged 65 and older live alone and this figure rises to more than half (56%) for those aged 85 and above. A higher-than-average proportion of young adults, aged 25-34, also reside alone, accounting for 28% of that age group. Women are slightly more likely than men to live alone, with 21.2% of women and 20.0% of men falling into this category.
Individuals living alone are disproportionately vulnerable to poverty. The latest survey on income and living conditions indicates that 29% of single-person households are at risk of poverty, nearly double the national average of 15.5%. This figure reflects an upward trend, having been 26.4% in 2023. The poverty threshold for a single person in Germany, after taxes and social security contributions, was set at a net monthly income of €1,381 in 2024.
Beyond simple poverty risk, a substantial proportion (35.1%) of single-person households face the threat of poverty or social exclusion, defined as having a net income below the poverty threshold, experiencing significant material and social hardship, or living in a household with minimal employment.
Loneliness is also a prevalent issue for those living alone. Nearly a quarter (25.8%) frequently experience feelings of loneliness, compared to 16.3% of the general population aged ten and over. This sentiment is most acute amongst younger individuals, with 35.9% of those under 30 reporting loneliness. Conversely, individuals aged 65 and over report the lowest rates of loneliness, impacting 17.6% within that group.
Germany’s proportion of single-person households is notably higher than the European Union average. In 2024, it represented 16.2% of the EU population; only Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, Estonia and Sweden displayed a higher rate. Countries with the lowest incidence of single-person households include Slovakia, Ireland and Poland.
While single-person households account for just over a fifth of the population, they represent the most common household type in Germany, comprising 41.6% of all households. This figure has increased significantly over the past two decades, from 36.5% in 2004 and projections suggest this trend will continue, with single-person households potentially accounting for over 45% of all households by 2040.