Future of an Ageing Population

Future of an Ageing Population | A Central Role for Families
The number of lone parent families increased over the past decade from 2.7
to 3.0 million, a growth rate of 12% (in comparison the number of all other
types of family grew at a rate of 7% over the same period) 127 . In England, such
households are predicted to increase by 59% each year between 2008 and
2033 128 . Lone parenthood comes either from never having partnered, having
separated/divorced or being widowed. In most European countries, single
parents are mainly divorced or separated. In the UK these are more likely to
involve early births, often unintended and outside marriage. Lone parent
households present distinctive policy problems, such as access to an adequate
income, child care and difficulties in reconciling work, all of which have more
pronounced implications as individuals, and thus the population, ages.
100
Percentage of families with dependent children (%)
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
2445
1474
12641
2697
2449
12278
3022
3178
12465
0
1996
2005
2015
Year
Family type:
Married couple family
Cohabiting couple family
Lone parent family
Figure 5.1: UK family structures, in numbers (thousands) as a percentage of population,
1996-2015 127 .
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