"With more and more people working remotely and social media or other online spaces playing a huge role in the way we connect with others, those who live alone can sorely miss the interactions and companionship that is proven to enrich our lives and our health"
- Vann Vogstad - COHO
New research from COHO, the HMO management platform, shows that nearly a third of households in England are now occupied by a single person. Over the past ten years, the number of people living alone has increased by 14%.
Loneliness and social isolation are growing concerns across the UK. Estimates suggest that 3.83 million people are chronically lonely, and 7.1% of the population report feeling always or often lonely, up from 6% in 2020. The Centre for Social Justice notes that almost six in ten UK adults experience loneliness at least sometimes.
Young adults are particularly affected. People aged 16-29 are more than twice as likely to feel lonely compared with those aged over 70.
COHO’s analysis of ONS data points to the rise in single-person households as a key factor behind this trend. As of 2024, more than 6.9 million single-person households are estimated in England, an 8.8% increase since 2015. Regional growth has been notable: the South East and South West saw a 14.1% rise, while the North East recorded a 13.7% increase.
Single-person households now represent 28.9% of all English households, up 0.7% since 2015. Some regions have even higher proportions:
North West: 33%
North East: 32.5%
South West: 30.7%
Yorkshire & Humber: 30.2%
The largest decade-long increases occurred in the North West (+1.9%), South West (+1.7%), and South East (+1.5%).
Living alone can have significant effects on health and well-being. Physical risks include higher blood pressure, stress, poor sleep, weaker immune responses, and an estimated 26% increased risk of early mortality. Mental health is also affected, with chronic loneliness linked to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, dementia, and psychosis.
These personal challenges also carry wider economic costs. Loneliness is estimated to cost the UK more than £32 billion per year when factors such as healthcare, education, and employment are considered. It can also undermine community cohesion, leading to social division and disconnection.
"The rise in people living alone is not just a housing issue, it's a social one," comments Vann Vogstad, founder and CEO of COHO. "With more and more people working remotely and social media or other online spaces playing a huge role in the way we connect with others, those who live alone can sorely miss the interactions and companionship that is proven to enrich our lives and our health."
"We are passionate in our belief that Shared Living is a powerful force for good. It creates daily opportunities for immediate connection and community. And when you have good compatibility with housemates, it can also pave the way for long-term friendships that sustain us through life.
"More people of all ages are recognising the value of living with housemates, but we’re also seeing an increase in those who live alone. Here at COHO, our responsibility is to help people understand just how brilliant Shared Living is, a big part of which is dispelling and overcoming many of the stigmas and preconceptions that currently exist in the public understanding of what it means to have housemates. Shared Living has the power to transform lives, not just living arrangements."
