More than a third of households are now single occupancy and more around 13% of people now live alone, with women leading the trend, according to a new report by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR). More than 10% of 25 to 44 year olds are now living by themselves, compared with just 2% in 1973, and the total number of males under 65 living alone has almost tripled since 1971. But the report points out that for women the situation is more likely to be a positive choice, whereas males are more likely to find it harder. For almost a quarter of those living alone in the 22 to 44 age group, the decision followed a split from a relationship, and more than 55% of those surveyed said living alone had a negative impact on their finances. “The rise in living alone has clear implications for housing provision, said the report’s author Miranda Lewis. “We need to ask whether we should be building more one-bedroom flats, or should living alone be something that policy makers should discourage.” The government predicts that 35% of households will be single occupancy by 2021 if the trend continues. (All media)