The change in society has long since become apparent in housing: the proportion of single-person households in Germany has more than doubled since the 1950s. Last year, just under 41 percent of the 40.9 million households in Germany had just one person, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
In 1950, on the other hand, single-person households accounted for just under a fifth of all households. In relation to the population, this means that while in 1950 only a good 6 percent of people lived alone, last year it was a good 20 percent.
Largest proportion of single people living alone
As a breakdown drawn up since 1976 shows, there have also been differences in the group of people living alone over the years: in 1976 more than half of those living alone were widowed and a third were single. Only eleven percent were divorced and five percent were married but separated. Last year, on the other hand, unmarried people living alone accounted for the largest proportion of single-person households at 51 percent. A quarter of people in single-person households were widowed, 19 percent were divorced.
The number of households in which people live together who are not married or related – such as unmarried couples without children or shared accommodation – has also increased. In 1976 this applied to just under two percent of multi-person households, by 2022 it was already twelve percent.
Large families are becoming increasingly rare
The extended family, on the other hand, is disappearing. In 1950, households with at least five people accounted for 16 percent of all households. Last year, the proportion of households with 5 or more people was just under 4 percent. According to the information, the trend towards smaller households is also reflected in the average number of household members: in 1950 there were still an average of 3 people in a household, 72 years later there were only 2.
Multi-generation families are also becoming increasingly rare: in 1976, for example, at least three generations lived under one roof in three percent of all multi-person households; last year their share was less than one percent. On the other hand, households with married couples without children have increased: Their share rose from almost a third of all multi-person households in 1976 to 39 percent in 2022. This includes both married couples whose children have already left the household and those who have no children are.
According to the statisticians, not only has the composition of households changed over the decades, but also their ability to pay and spending behavior. In 1962/63, the average monthly net income of a household was 901 DM (461 euros). Ten years later it had more than doubled to an average of DM 2,078 (EUR 1,062).
In 2021, private households in Germany even had an average monthly net income of 3813 euros – a good eight times as much as almost 60 years before. According to the Federal Office, these are the nominal, non-inflation-adjusted values.
Every household has a telephone
The growing prosperity is also reflected in the household inventory, whether car, washing machine or television: in 1962 only a good one in four households had at least one car, today it is a good three out of four households. In 1962, only 14 percent of all households had telephones. According to statistics, there is no longer a household without phones – and 88 percent of households had at least one smartphone by 2022.
Households now spend significantly less money on food than in the past: while in 1962/63 a good third of private consumer spending went on food, beverages and tobacco products, it is now only 15 percent. On the other hand, households are now investing significantly more money in housing: the share of consumer spending has more than doubled, from almost 16 percent in 1962/63 to almost 37 percent in 2021.
