Let’s Stand up for Single People: There are millions of us!
Do you know how many single people there are in the UK?
Official estimates put the number of single people who cut across all sorts of age and other demographic groups at 28 million plus (that’s in England and Wales alone). The Office of National Statistics also report that 4 in 10 adults have never been married or in a civil partnership. By 2039, 10.7 million people are expected to be living in ‘one person households. Even Channel 4 found that 1 in 3 people over the age of 16 are currently single.
During the last general election – we thought we ought to have a bit of a voice.
Unless we were mistaken, we didn’t hear any party at all mention the ‘S’ word in their campaigns, policies, or manifestos , so we thought we’d start to do a bit of a shout out and pull together just some of our research and information into a simple resource; information that we’ve gathered on the single demographic to help keep our case and our voice out there.
So here’s why we’re important and why we want all those involved to listen.
Why we count too –
just4one key links
Is being single unusual in 2026?
Not if we believe the stats. In England and Wales, there were more than 28.9 million single people in 2022. Since then, the number of single people has continued to grow nationwide. Learn more about the UK’s growing single community here.
Is there such a thing as “single person prejudice”?
A study in 2020 says “yes”. The good news? The taboo is shifting. More people (of all ages and genders) are choosing to live life without a partner. Are you one of them?
According to Channel 4, 1 in 3 people over the age of 16 in the UK aren’t married or in a civil partnership.
Being Single is becoming commonplace, but there are still challenges to navigate. Visit just4one for tips on how to manage everything from dating, to the single tax.
According to the ONS, by 2039, nearly 1 in 7 people in the UK could be living alone
But how do you handle the rising cost of living as a single person?
The ONS says single people spend an average of 92% of their household income on bills.
So how do you handle the rising cost of living, and still find money for fun?
Energy caps may be dropping, but the price of food and other essentials is still high. As a single person, do you know how to make your money stretch further? Check out our top tips for help making your money stretch.
What will the cut to the National Insurance contribution rates mean for you as a single person? Will the council tax discount help? Is there any other support out there for single people? Get the latest advice and insights on just4one
Can you get a mortgage as a single person? How much will you pay for a mortgage, compared to rent, and how much will you need for household bills? Find out more here
The UK Autumn Budget 2024: What it Means for Your Finances as a Single Person; some positives and some challenges but with a Government that still seems to be looking the other way, overlooking the millions of single people who desperately need support throughout the country. Find out more here
Money, Finance & Budgeting for Singles; updated research by Uswitch in Feb 25 shows on average single people pay around £3,844 more per year on household bills compared to couples, and bills swallow up 54% of a single person’s income. More than one in 10 singles rely on credit cards for household bills, with some delaying payments (11%) or even considering staying in relationships to cut costs (15%) Find out more here
Money, Finance & Budgeting for Singles; Hargreaves Lansdown Savings & Resilience Barometer found that almost half (49%) of those living alone have either poor or very poor financial resilience, due to the higher costs of housing, food and communications. The essential costs of putting a roof over their heads (rent, mortgage, council tax and fuel) see single people spend an average of £7,974 per year, but it costs couples just £6,215 per person (£12,430 combined). So singles are spending £1,759 more each year. Find out more here
Who else is saying what
in the media?
Are you single or in a ‘hard-working family’? Your answer counts for a lot
There are millions of people struggling alone in the cost-of-living crisis – but they’re invisible to our politicians. Insightful and compassionate article from Nesrine Malik in the Guardian.
How the ‘single tax’ can break financial resilience
From housing to pensions, those living on their own face an uphill struggle to get ahead. Article by Claer Barrett – Financial Times
For millions of people, being single is the key to living their best life. They are what Dr Bella DePaulo calls the “single at heart”, contrary to cultural assumptions that the unpartnered will die miserable and alone, surrounded by cats – those who embrace their single status actually grow happier as they age. Article by Jill Stark Guardian.
Revealed: the cost of being single
As housing and living expenses keep rising, those who can’t split the bill face a steep premium. More of us are single for longer, and it’s costing us dearly. A third of working-age adults in Britain were long-term single at the time of the latest census.– up almost 6% since 2000. New analysis has revealed that being single and living alone commands a hefty premium – equivalent to £10 a day, or £3,651 a year. Article by Telegraph Feb 25.
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I’ve been on my own for a while, but have found it so much harder recently just keeping up with normal household bills, there’s less and less, if any, money left at the end of each month for me. Id like to hear how the next government is going to make things a bit fairer and easier for us.
When first single I was anxious and felt unsupported as I only identified as one of a couple. My initial feelings have not changed. What do we need to do for the UK government to acknowledge the difficulties and struggles around issues such as, policies, holidays, taxes and pensions?
It’s as if single people are completely invisible to both politicians and businesses. We form a sizeable group and regardless of whether we are single by accident or design we deserve to be considered and not ignored. Being single should not mean we have to pay more by comparison to those in a relationship or made to feel as if we are somehow less valued.
It’s not out of the ordinary to be single, but we still seem to be penalised.
Buying food in small quantities is often more expensive or you have to ‘batch cook’. And not all ingredients lend themselves to being frozen.
This is only one example of being penalised for being ‘single’ But we all have to eat!
No political party seems to wants to champion our interests. Not sure why that is, maybe they haven’t worked out how many people are single or maybe they don’t want to associate themselves with us. We contribute our rightful taxes like everyone even though life costs more when you don’t have a partner for whatever reason that may be.
Not expecting any favours over and above everyone else, just a bit acknowledgement, understanding and consideration when making policy and planning budget spending would be a good start.
I was concerned to hear that the government is considering abolishing the council tax discount for single households. Can this be true? The research shows how as singletons, we are at a great disadvantage. I for one am fed up with looking at articles in the press re fantastic looking holidays only to find the cost for one is prohibitive . Everything you sign up to is cheaper for half a couple who pay less to exist at home, on holiday, in clubs…..
It’s a worry, we need to join forces and head this off at the pass before it becomes a policy.
I’m not single. I have recently lost a dear friend who lived a single life from the age of 86 to the age of 101 and lived a happy and fulfilled independent life in her own home until the last year of her life. Single people are represented in every demographic group. My experience with single people in later life is that the most pressing need is addressing loneliness. They do not seek a life partner but they do not enjoy isolation.
I’ve been living alone for +20years. Since covid I’ve had to consider every purchase. Food prices have doubled. The meal deals cater for couples not single people.
As a single occupant council tax should be a 50% reduction not 25%.
Most holidays and restaurants dont cater for single people.
Times have changed the government should consider single people in their manifestos.
I’m in my early 30s, and frankly I have always dreaded being single this long – not even just because of the social “stigma” that was around when I was growing up. Because it’s so freaking hard! I probably pay twice the tax of any person I know, as a self-employed person, and yet the support I get is absolutely non-existent.
I know people who barely work and have a partner, and can afford to go on trips and enjoy life more than me. Even taking a day off is almost impossible – I haven’t had one for seven years now for fear of losing any cash. Not to mention it’s almost impossible to get self-employed insurance as a single person, get a mortgage, or anything else.
Frankly I’m not alone as a single person- many of my closest friends are in the same position. So why do we all feel so ignored?
Being single is definitely much more difficult financially than when having a partner. Any advice on a budget management would be appreciated!
Being single has never been so tough. We all need to speak up. We need to build a community.
I have loved being single for decades. It allowed me freedom to do what I want when I want – even playing music in middle of night and dancing freely! . However I have finally realised it’s not a natural state in which human beings will thrive – regardless of what we tell ourselves. However through connecting with like minded free thinking souls , I have found perfect people for each aspect of my life’s interests. Just4one helps assert we are not weirdos or rejects – just people with a lot of love for life’s offerings! We need inclusion not exclusion.