Scotland is on course to see more than a million people living by themselves within the next decade, according to stark new official projections. The rise is being fuelled by the nation's ageing population, with profound implications for housing, health, and social care.
Projections Reveal a Solitary Future
National Records of Scotland (NRS) forecasts that by 2032, single-person households will account for 38 per cent of all homes. This equates to a striking 1,018,000 individuals, marking the first time this figure will have exceeded one million. The data, released this week, projects a 6.7 per cent increase in the total number of households over a ten-year period, reaching 2.68 million.
The statistics indicate that household numbers are growing faster than the population itself, with around 17,000 additional dwellings needed each year. Sandy Taylor, head of household statistics at NRS, explained the trend is directly linked to demographics. "Scotland's population is ageing and people are more likely to live alone as they get older," she stated.
Gender and Geographic Disparities
The data reveals clear differences between men and women. While men are more likely to live alone in all age groups up to 64, the pattern reverses dramatically thereafter. Women over 64 are increasingly more likely to live on their own, primarily due to their greater life expectancy.
Geographically, most areas will see growth, but the scale varies significantly. Midlothian is predicted to record the largest rise at 17.4 per cent. In contrast, Inverclyde is the only local authority expected to see a decline, with a projected fall of 1 per cent. Relatively small increases are forecast for West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Western Isles and North Ayrshire.
Calls for Action to Support an Ageing Nation
The projections have prompted urgent calls for better future planning. Adam Stachura, policy director at Age Scotland, warned that the country is not doing enough to prepare. "With the number of people living alone in Scotland projected to reach one million for the first time within the next decade, it’s vital that Scotland has a proper plan," he said.
Stachura emphasised that hundreds of thousands of older people living alone must be better supported to live well and safely in their own homes. This includes ensuring sufficient income, access to essential health and care services, and tackling the acute issues of loneliness and social isolation. "Ensuring older people are able to stay connected to communities, services and people – both in person and digitally where possible - is also vital," he added.
The NRS analysis underscores the scale of the challenge: by 2032, just over a fifth of the population aged 16 and over will live alone. This proportion rises to over a third for those aged 65 and over, and to more than half for those aged 85 and over.
