Growth of one-person and two-person households
driven by ageing population
Embargoed until 10:45am – 29 October 2015
One-person households are projected to be the fastest growing household type in New Zealand,
increasing from 390,000 in 2013 to 580,000 in 2038, Statistics New Zealand said today. They will account
for 27 percent of all households in 2038, up from 24 percent in 2013.
“The growth in one-person households is mainly due to the increasing number of people at older ages,”
senior manager Vina Cullum said. “Almost 90 percent of this growth in people living alone will occur
among those aged 60 years and over.”
By 2038, 11 percent of New Zealand’s population will be living alone, compared with 9 percent in 2013.
Of those living alone, 65 percent are projected to be aged 60 years and over in 2038, compared with 54
percent in 2013.
“Our ageing population will also see more couples living without children,” Vina Cullum said. “Most people
will still have children during their life, but beyond the mid-50s they are more likely to be living separately
from their children.”
The total number of households is projected to increase from 1.65 million in 2013 to 2.14 million in 2038.
Over the same period, New Zealand’s population is projected to increase from 4.44 million to 5.50 million.
This would see the average household size drop from 2.6 to 2.5 people. In 1951 it was 3.7 and in 1981 it
was 3.0.
Ends
For media enquiries contact: Kim Dunstan, Christchurch, 03 964 8700, [email protected]
Authorised by Liz MacPherson, Government Statistician, 29 October 2015