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Living Alone

Author

Listed:
  • Wei-Jun Jean Yeung

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Adam Ka-Lok Cheung

    (Hong Kong Baptist University)

Abstract

Background: The one-person household (OPH) is the fastest-growing type of household in many regions of the world, but no systematic work on it has been done outside of Europe and North America. This special collection consists of ten articles that examine the living-alone phenomenon in Asia. Objective: This paper summarizes their findings, highlights unique features found in Asia, and discusses the implications of the increase in OPH in Asia for individuals’ well-being and societies’ resource distribution. Methods: Census data are used for an international comparison of the prevalence of one-person households. Results: The papers reveal vast heterogeneity across regions and within nations. While widows remains a major group of OPH, the rising prevalence of OPH in Asia is mainly fueled by the increase of young urban adults who live alone as a consequence of delayed or declining marriage, increasing divorce, and increasing geographic mobility. Many of them are working class individuals or migrant workers. The impact of living alone varies by cultural, demographic, and policy contexts. The papers identify groups that are potentially vulnerable to social isolation and financial distress and challenge the generally negative stereotypes of the OPH living arrangement. Conclusions: OPH will continue to increase in Asia in the next few decades due to the rapid aging trend, declining marriage and fertility rates, and increase in divorce and migration. More theoretical development and empirically-based work is needed to understand the complexity and impact of such a living arrangement.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Jun Jean Yeung & Adam Ka-Lok Cheung, 2015. "Living Alone," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(40), pages 1099-1112.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:32:y:2015:i:40
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2015.32.40
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chai Podhisita & Peter Xenos, 2015. "Living alone in South and Southeast Asia," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(41), pages 1113-1146.
    2. James M. Raymo, 2015. "Living alone in Japan: Relationships with happiness and health," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(46), pages 1267-1298.
    3. Christophe Guilmoto & Myriam de Loenzien, 2015. "Emerging, transitory or residual? One-person households in Viet Nam," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(42), pages 1147-1176.
    4. Premchand Dommaraju, 2015. "One-person households in India," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(45), pages 1239-1266.
    5. Adam Ka-Lok Cheung & Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, 2015. "Temporal-spatial patterns of one-person households in China, 1982-2005," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(44), pages 1209-1238.
    6. Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan & John Knodel & Wiraporn Pothisiri, 2015. "What does living alone really mean for older persons? A comparative study of Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(48), pages 1329-1360.
    7. Erin Hye-Won Kim, 2015. "Public transfers and living alone among the elderly," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(50), pages 1383-1408.
    8. Angelique Chan & Prassanna Raman & Rahul Malhotra & Stefan Ma, 2015. "Loneliness and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling elderly Singaporeans," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(49), pages 1361-1382.
    9. Jeong Hwa Ho, 2015. "The problem group? Psychological wellbeing of unmarried people living alone in the Republic of Korea," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(47), pages 1299-1328.
    10. Hyunjoon Park & Jaesung Choi, 2015. "Long-term trends in living alone among Korean adults: Age, gender, and educational differences," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(43), pages 1177-1208.
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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